Press Release

 *PRESS RELEASE*

*While supporting the move of the CNTC, CNSA, DNSU, DENSU and WCSU for their legitimate demand to the State Government for revoking the inhuman COVID-19 Cess on Petroleum Fuels, we, the National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland State reiterates our earlier demand for abrogation of the said cess on fuels which was published in most of the daily newspapers and social media platforms on 4th of May 2020.*

*The leaders of the present ruling government are falling short of expectations so much so that they are now taking inhuman decisions thereby neglecting the well-being and economic welfare of the common people. As mentioned in our earlier press release, the decision of the Finance Department to put an additional COVID-19 Cess on the prices of fuel is bereft of any possible logic, especially at a time when the entire economy of the state is in jeopardy and the common people are already suffering the brunt of the financial crunch as a result of the pandemic and subsequent lock down.*

*Instead of bringing about certain economic reforms and allaying the financial burden of the people, the government of the day has resorted to levying an inhuman and illogical cess on the prices of fuel which has doubled the burden of the common people as it has unduly resulted in price rise across the state which is akin to adding salt to the injury of the people. Here, we would like to bring the facts clear before the State Government that the prices of commodities are already at an all time high due to illegal hoarding of goods by the shopkeepers and the additional cess will give them another opportunity to raise the prices as usual. This is happening right under the nose of the authorities who are not even monitoring the price rise. This illegitimate manner in which the State Government has tried to add to the burdens of the common people during this crisis is nothing but an attempt to take undue opportunity of filling the coffers of the state at the expense of the common people which is totally intolerable and we condemn this arbitrary action of the State Government in harshest terms. Is the Government of Nagaland following a path of dictatorship by being callous and stone-hearted towards the apathy of the common people? Could they have no other better time than the COVID-19 crisis to be suddenly so concerned about the economy and that too by additionally burdening the already burdened people?*

*Moreover, it is very much evident that much of the humanitarian efforts have been shouldered by numerous NGOs and civic bodies whereby they have donated wholeheartedly to the needy people which in itself is a herculean effort which is indirectly lessening the burden of the State Government. This goes on to say that the Central Government has already issued a lot of people-centric schemes for the benefit of the public at this time of utter need and distress. However, the State Government has always tried its best to take the people of Nagaland for a ride by not making public those schemes and benefits  received from the Centre and at the same time not being transparent on the utilisation of funds. This is just the tip of the ice-berg and the real corruption lies underneath. The State Government and its leaders must instead seek the betterment of public life instead of taking undue advantage out of the grim situation of the pandemic.* *Therefore, our question to the State Government is why it needs so much additional funds when the Central Government has already poured in huge amounts of money and when the H&FW department has already professed that it is adequately equipped with all infrastructures to meet the eventualities of the pandemic.*

*NPP Nagaland State has been bringing to fore many issues related either with corruption and graft or with issues related to social vices. We had written to the State Government and also published in the media on numerous public issues including the ‘Upgradation of the Dimapur Railway Station and Airport’, ‘The COVID-19 Cess’, ‘The SARFESAI Act’ and the ‘Armed Forces Special Powers Act’. However, till date, we have not received any justifiable answers to our numerous and legitimate questions that we had posed to the State Government. This reveals the utter indifferent attitude of the present State Government towards the concerns and apathy of the general public. It is such a shameful affair that just before the elections the leaders make lofty promises using their unrealistic and sugar coated manifestoes. But as soon as they are elected to power, they tend to cocoon themselves in their untouchable lives of a VVIP whereby they lose the common touch and become indifferent and reckless which is very well reflected in illogical policies like the COVID-19 cess.* 

*The NPP Nagaland State, therefore would once again remind the State Government that they have been elected to power through popular consensus based on the belief that they would bring about people-centric reforms and alleviate the lot of the common people. Now, if the government walks away from this truth and carries on tribalism and partisan politics, they will be doing so at their own peril and the day is not far when they will lose the popular support.  We therefore support the cause of the general public and reiterate our demand for immediate abrogation of the COVID-19 cess as such an arbitrary taxation is nothing short of a day-light robbery on the common people.*

*Through this press release, NPP Nagaland State would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the frontline workers including the Health Workers, Police, Civil Administration, NGOs, Churches, concerned individuals, etc. for their selfless dedication and help rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope and pray that you would continue to be exemplary in your sacrifices and contribution towards the well being and benefit of our people.*

*IPR & Media Cell*

*National People’s Party (NPP)* 

*Nagaland State*