Assam to impose strict COVID-19 norms from Thursday
The details of the fresh COVID guidelines will be announced at a media conference by the state chief secretary and director general of police on Wednesday.
GUWAHATI:
The first Cabinet meeting of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government on Tuesday evening discussed the COVID-19 situation threadbare and decided to impose stricter restrictions in the state from Thursday in a bid to break the virus transmission chain.
The details of the fresh COVID guidelines will be announced at a media conference by the state chief secretary and director general of police on Wednesday.
Addressing newsmen here on Tuesday evening, state Health Minister and government spokesperson Keshab Mahanta said the Cabinet decided that every minister would tour two districts each, and in consultation with the respective deputy commissioners and the health department, prepare reports on the COVID-19 situation/status in each district within the next three days.
Mahanta however said a “total lockdown” was not on the cards as of now.
“But if the new SOPs have to be imposed beyond 15 days, then the Cabinet, in its next meeting, will propose an economic package (for the affected sections) and take a decision,” he said.
High-level panels
Further, the minister said that the Cabinet decided to constitute two high-level committees – one headed by finance minister Ajanta Neog on the creation of one lakh jobs for unemployed youths and another headed by Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal on micro-finance loan waiver.
The committee on the creation of one lakh jobs will submit its recommendations after a month and a draft would be prepared based on them.
Finance augmentation
Moreover, the Cabinet decided to ensure a steady flow of income by enhancing the state government’s share in Numaligarh Refinery Limited from the current 12.35 per cent to 26 per cent, which will be the highest investment, amounting to Rs 2187 crore, by the state government in a public sector undertaking till date.
“The investment in NRL will ensure an annual dividend of Rs 900 crore to the state coffers,” state Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary informed.
(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)
ALSO READ: Assam: Dibrugarh DC attends review meeting on Covid situation in district
TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp. CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phone.
