Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXXI No. 186
DIMAPUR, SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00
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PM meets Shah, Nadda amid Cab reshuffle buzz NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (AGENCIES): A series of high-level meetings at the Prime Minister’s residence in recent days indicate that a union cabinet expansion or revamp may take place within this month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held deliberations with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda amid speculation about a reshuffle in the Union cabinet, an exercise Modi has not undertaken since forming the government for a second time in May 2019. Modi has been silently working away for the past two months on this, say sources, while attending dozens of meetings on various aspects of containment and management of the second wave of Covid-19. There is also a growing buzz about the Cabinet expansion in Uttar Pradesh after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met the BJP top brass during his two-day visit to the national capital. Sources, said that Modi has been holding meetings with Union minsters and also at organisational levels in different batches of late, and Nadda has also been present there. Meetings with
Narendra Modi with Amit Shah and JP Nadda. (File photo)
ministers: With the threat of the second wave of Covid-19 slowly subsiding, Modi is now assessing the performance of his ministers. He has started meeting members of his cabinet in small groups. The practice started at the beginning of this week with a group of five ministers. All of them presented their report cards with a special focus on the future roadmap of their respective ministries. Sources said PM has made it clear that this entire year was lost due to the pandemic, so everyone must go out on the ground and fix the problems that exist. Vacancies in union cabinet: During the term of Modi government 2.0, a few key ministers and top leaders
of the BJP have died, while allies like the Shiv Sena and Akali Dal have separated from the NDA, creating more than two dozen vacancies. Some senior ministers were allotted extra portfolios and this has led to a few of them being overburdened, say sources. Many states are yet to be given proper representation according to their strength in the Lok Sabha. During the Modi government’s first term, the Prime Minister closely assessed everyone’s performance and the first expansion was done after a year of taking office. A total of three cabinet reshuffles took place. But this has not been the case in the second term. And one of the reasons has been the coronavirus pan-
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demic. The expectation is that Modi may soon lessen the burden on ministers holding three to four portfolios, while some people could be dropped from the government based on their less-than-satisfactory performances. State polls next year: With Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh facing assembly polls next year, the BJP wants to add more votes to its kitty. The focus is on several castes and groups that have gone unrepresented or underrepresented in the union and state cabinets. So some faces from western UP, some unrepresented castes or groups, etc, are likely to be given prominent positions in Delhi and even in Uttar Pradesh. A series of meetings at the organisational levels, and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath meeting the PM and home minister Amit Shah indicate that some new faces are likely to be inducted. This further adds fuel to the speculation that a cabinet expansion may take place soon. Many waiting to be absorbed: Ever since Congress
leader Jyotiraditya Scindia joined the BJP last year, helping reinstate the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh, there has been conjecture in the media and among observers about when, if at all, he will join the union cabinet. Former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has made way for Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a peaceful transition of power, and he too appears to be waiting for a central posting. Giving allies representation: BJP’s alliance partner from Bihar, Janata Dal (United), wants its two MPs to be inducted as union ministers. But the ruling BJP has made it clear that it will be a cabinet post and another for a minister of state. The Modi government also wanted to include Andhra Pradesh’s ruling YSR Congress in the cabinet but it had indicated its disinclination so far. The Andhra party has bailed the BJP out many times in Parliament with its numbers. Chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy meeting Shah and others this week indicates that attempts may be on to give a fresh touch to the NDA cabinet.
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Follow prescribed guidelines while reporting Covid data: Centre to states NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (PTI): The Health ministry on Friday said it has regularly emphasised on the need for a robust reporting mechanism to monitor district-wise Covid cases and deaths on a daily basis, two days after Bihar revised its Covid-19 death toll by including 3,951 unreported fatalities. The Covid-19 death toll in Bihar was on Wednesday revised drastically upwards by the state health depart-
ment which put the total number of fatalities caused by the pandemic at 9,429. In a statement, the ministry said states and Union territories have been advised to report Covid deaths in accordance with the prescribed guidelines. This spike in deaths was on account of the 3,971 fatalities reported in Bihar after data reconciliation by the state government, the ministry said. “States and UTs have
been advised repeatedly through formal communications, multiple video conferences and through deployment of Central teams for recording of deaths in accordance with laid down guidelines,” the ministry said. The Union government has written to Bihar to provide a detailed date and district wise break-up of the reconciled number of deaths to the health ministry.
ICMR to start national sero surveys to assess Covid spread
T
he ICMR will start national-level sero surveys to assess the spread of Covid-19 and all states as well as Union Territories should also be encouraged to conduct them so that information from all geographies can be collected, the Union health ministry said on Friday. The ministry also said that thought the country’s coronavirus situation appears to be stabilising, people to continue following the appropriate behaviour and social distancing norms. The Ministry on Friday said there has been 8% decline in daily cases since highest peak reported on May 7. The ministry, in its press briefing, also mentioned that the weekly Covid-19 positivity rate has declined by 74% since the highest such rate was reported at 21.6% between April
30-May 6. The US’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday rejected emergency use authorisation for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine, instead recommending that the vaccine manufacturer’s US partner apply for biologics licence application (BLA), PTI reported. BLA is a “full approval” mechanism by the FDA for drugs and vaccines. India reported 91,702 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, with which the country’s caseload rose to over 2.9 crore. The death toll surged to more than 3.7 lakh after 3,403 Covid-related deaths were recorded on Thursday. Tamil Nadu remains the highest contributor with 16,813 cases. Active cases have dropped further to 11.21 lakh.
State logs 116 fresh cases, 4 Covid deaths Panel on Naga issue formed Will welcome Core Committee if
DIMAPUR, JUN 11 COVID-19 STATUS AS ON June 11, 2021 (AGENCIES): Nagaland ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic on Friday recorded 116 fresh Non Covid Deaths MiAsSevere ModCovid-19 positive cases, RecovTotal District Death with gratymperate ICU ICU ered Cases On Covid 19 ed while four more patients suctom- Mild On (without (On Positivity atic Oxy- Oxy- ventila- venticumbed to the infection. gen gen tor) lator Tuensang reported the Dimapur 1823 100 23 15 16 5 9199 289 10 481 11959 highest one-day spike of 34 5 Kiphire 24 0 1 0 0 110 4 0 1 144 Kohima 671 18 1 6 0 1 6207 74 0 99 7077 cases followed by KohimaLongleng 10 17 3 1 0 0 88 0 2 10 131 26, Dimapur-19, Mokokc- Mokokchung 531 8 7 3 0 0 431 24 0 33 1037 hung-15, Phek-10, five in Mon 59 0 4 0 2 0 825 6 2 15 913 Peren 13 0 0 0 0 0 561 0 0 2 577 Zunheboto, 3 in Longleng, 2 Phek 57 0 3 0 0 0 254 15 0 2 331 in Mon and 1 each in Wokha Tuensang 182 12 4 0 0 0 513 4 0 2 717 and Peren, taking the total Wokha 72 1 3 1 0 0 101 3 0 4 186 caseload to 23,466. Zunheboto 63 9 3 0 0 0 298 12 0 8 394 Total 3505 170 51 27 18 6 18587 431 14 657 23466 Further, two deaths were reported in Kohima and Mokokchung. With this cluding 14 non-Covid deaths and one each in Dimapur the death toll rose to 445 in- but with Covid positivity.
DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): A formal notification has been issued by the state government for constituting Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue comprising all 60 members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly and two MPs from Nagaland. The Core Committee is headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio as convener, deputy chief minister Y Patton and leader of opposition TR Zeliang as co-conveners; Neiba Kronu minister planning & coordination, land
revenue and parliamentary affairs as member secretary and all ministers, advisers, MPs and MLAs of various parties as members.The Core Committee of the Parliamentary Committee also comprises of 15 others as members. These include: NDPP-ministers G. Kaito Aye and Metsubo Jamir; adviser Toshi Wungtung and legislator H Chuba Chang; BJP ministers-- P. Paiwang Konyak and Jacob Zhimomi; advisers Mmhonlumo Kikon, (Cont’d on p-8)
Odd-even traffic rule to NSF warns telecom service providers continue in Dmu, Kma
DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): The odd-even system of vehicular movement in Dimapur and Kohima districts will remain in force till June 18. Dimapur: In an order, commissioner of police Dimapur Rothihu Tetseo said that essential movement of all vehicles will be based on odd-even number days. Vehicles ending with odd digits (i.e.1,3,5,7,9) only will be allowed to ply on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while vehicles with even numbers (i.e. 0,2,4,6,8) can ply on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This is it!
“There, that’s why the virus is spreading. It’s all about habit that spreads Covid.” K Y M C
Kohima: In an order, deputy commissioner and chairman DTF Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie has notified that movement of private vehicles will be allowed as per odd-even numbered vehicles under Kohima Municipal Council jurisdiction, except on Sundays. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, only vehicles ending with odd numbers-- 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 will be allowed to ply. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, only vehicles ending with even numbers-- 0, 2,4,6,8 will be allowed to ply.
DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): Appalled at the continued negligence of telecom service providers in improving network connectivity in the State despite having raised the issue on multiple occasions, thereby wilfully putting the future of student community at stake, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has threatened to take up “necessary measures” in the interests of students. While poor connectivity has adversely affected all sections of people in their day-to-day activities, besides banks, businesses and other establishments that rely on internet connectivity, NSF
vice-president and public grievances redressal cell convener Atokiho Sumi and education secretary and public grievances redressal cell co-convener Medovi Rhi in a press release said students and teaching fraternity have been affected the most due to the “sheer negligence and questionable business ethics” of the telecom service providers. Amid Covid-19 pandemic and introduction of online classes, webinars and teleconferencing as means to adapt to the challenges, they pointed out that poor internet connectivity has brought much hardships
and untold miseries upon the general populace as they were being robbed of their paid services. They said the federation has taken a strong note of the numerous complaints from distraught students, aggrieved parents and concerned citizens alike. Highlighting the plight of the student community, NSF appealed to the telecom service providers to immediately rectify the problem by providing quality network coverage and uninterrupted internet connectivity in all areas of operation in the State and expedite the process (Cont’d on p-8)
FA isn’t diluted, says NSCN (I-M)
DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): Reacting to the formation of the Core Committee of Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political issue by the state government, NSCN (I-M) said it welcomed such a Committee provided only if there was no attempt to dilute the spirit and substance of Framework Agreement (FA) as mutually agreed upon by it with both Government of India (GoI),as the final basis for Naga political solution. In a statement issued through its MIP, NSCN (I-M) reiterated that the much-talked-about FA was not something signed in a hurry but the result of a well thought-out proposal from the government of India. It said when the “IndoNaga political talks” faced deadlock-like situation as Indian and Naga leaders took their respective stands with no meeting point when talks touched the core issue of solution within Indian constitution (Indian stand) and outside the Indian constitution (Naga stand). NSCN (I-M) said Framework Agreement was the result of going through a long series of talks “when the Government of India
finally proposed the Framework Agreement as a formula of win-win solution.” NSCN (I-M) said the talks had revolved around FA with both parties cautiously taking care not to allow either side to take strategic advantage or deviation from it. NSCN (I-M) however said the “foot-in-mouth syndrome” prevalent with the state BJP unit was already giving the Core Committee a bad name even before it began work. While maintaining that no effort by any committee would bear fruits if the historical account of Nagas was not taken into consideration; NSCN (I-M) demanded that if the BJP wanted to solve the Naga political issue within the ambit of the Indian constitution then, the party has to first make its stand clear on whether it took cognisance of the Naga national movement with reference to the declaration of Naga independence on August 14,1947 and Naga Plebiscite on May 16,1951. NSCN (I-M) said the two events constituted the most important landmarks in the Naga national movement and it is with the UNO.
Lockdown: more activities allowed in Dimapur, Kohima dists DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): Deputy commissioners (DCs) of Dimapur and Kohima districts have issued additional district-specific lockdown guidelines with more relaxations in addition to the fresh state-wide lockdown guidelines issued by the chief secretary J Alam, published on June 10. The directives will come into force from June 12 till June 18. Dimapur: Hardware stores, shops selling agricultural tools/equipment/ materials, stationeries, mo-
bile phones and computer accessories, tire repair shops, garages and shops selling vehicles spare parts shall be allowed to open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 12 noon. Necessary arrangements will be informed by DMC. N ew c o n s t r u c t i o n works may be permitted after examination by DTF and fresh labourers shall be allowed as per provisions under the Revised SOP for returnees and travellers. Taxis, autos allowed: Further, Light Motor Ve-
hicles including taxis, auto rickshaws etc. shall be allowed to ply on existing odd-even rule with strict adherence to relevant SOPs at the same time drivers will have to produce negative Covid-19 test report for resumption of services. Bus service, two wheeler taxi service and pillion riding shall remain suspended. Kohima: In addition to shops and business establishments permitted to open, those selling vegetables, fish/ meat, milk booths, bakeries, local grocery stores, animal
feed shops located along the Highway (earlier restricted) have been allowed to open between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. ensuring all Covid appropriate behaviours and no overcrowding. However, market areas in BOC, High School Jn. shall remain closed. Hardware and electrical shops, shops selling stationeries, mobile phones and computer accessories, automobile repairing garages and shops selling vehicle spare parts shall be allowed to open on June 12, 14, 17 and 18 between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
N ew c o n s t r u c t i o n works shall be permitted after examination by the DTF and fresh labourers shall be allowed as per provision under the revised SOP for returnees and travellers. Taxis allowed: Light Motor Vehicles including taxis shall be allowed to ply within Kohima district on odd-even basis. However, drivers of taxis will need to produce negative Covid19 report not earlier than 72 hours from the day of operation. Taxis desiring to resume operation shall
report to RTO, Kohima on-9366221563/ 9862159833. Only 50% occupancy shall be allowed in all Light Motor Vehicles including taxis to maintain physical distance. It further warned taxis not to charge fares higher than those fixed by the RTA as per October 6 2020 order. Bus service, two-wheeler taxi service and pillion riding shall remain suspended. All other activities which are otherwise not permitted shall continue to be strictly restricted.
Further, it said Nagas had undergone horrendous violations of human rights never seen anywhere in the world at the hands of Indian security forces. NSCN (I-M) said more than two lakh Nagas lost their lives and properties were destroyed by the security forces throughout Nagalim. NSCN (I-M) therefore, insisted that BJP make its stand “very clear” either to admit these factual accounts of history or deny it. It said the sufferings of Nagas at the hands of “Indian occupational forces” were well documented for posterity to judge. NSCN (I-M) said “Indo-Naga political history” was marked by “bloody blunder” when the “main stakeholders” (freedom fighters) were not consulted. It therefore, urged the Core Committee members to not overrate themselves or outdo their role at the cost of destroying Naga political identity which itNSCN (I-M)- had “robustly protected” throughout the two decades of talks with the government of India and not to repeat the same mistakes of the past. (Cont’d on p-8)
Fuel prices hiked DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): Fuel prices were hiked sharply on Friday by state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) after a day’s gap. Petrol and diesel rates across the country have been revised upwards by 28-29 paise respectively. After the fresh hike, petrol is retailing at Rs 94.56 per litre in Dimapur and diesel costs Rs 88.86 per litre. In the state capital Kohima, petrol a litre cost Rs.95.51 and diesel is retailing at Rs 89.62 per litre. K Y M C