Assam CM Sonowal directs to maintain strict vigil at Indo-Bangladesh border

Sonowal directed this while reviewing COVID-19 preparedness of South Salmara-Mankachar district administration in a meeting held at Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall at Hatsingimari in South Salmara-Mankachar district on Friday.

Underlining the state government’s move to provide onetime financial assistance of Rs 1000 to the families who are not included in the National Food Security Act, the Assam Chief Minister emphasised on selection of beneficiary with utmost transparency.

Sonowal also directed the Veterinary & Animal Husbandry department to arrange adequate feeds for animals in the district.

In view of the 21-day lockdown, the Assam Chief Minister asked the Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential goods to people. He directed the departmental officials to take strict action against hoarding to check escalation of prices of essential commodities.

Moreover, in response to the request of the Deputy Commissioner of South Salmara-Mankachar district Atika Sultana to ensure adequate supply of fruits in the district in view of the forthcoming Ramadan month, the Assam Chief Minister instructed the F&CS department to take necessary steps for the same.

Sonowal also reviewed steps taken by various departments to tackle COVID-19.

F&CS Minister Phani Bhusan Choudhury, MLAs Dr. Motiur Rohman Mondal and Bimal Bora and senior officials of district administration and other departments were present in the meeting.

Later interacting with media persons, Sonowal thanked the people of the district for adhering to the norms of the lockdown and urged them to maintain the norm of social distancing till the lockdown period is over.

The Assam Chief Minister lauded media’s role in taking the message of preventive measures to fight against COVID-19 at the grassroot level.

“The state health department is fully geared up and adequate health facilities like isolation ward and special quarantine facilities have been developed for treatment of novel coronavirus infection,” Sonowal said.

He also appreciated the role of health department functionaries saying that they are working 24x7 for rendering service to the needy people.

“Police personnel and officials of F&CS, PHE, Power and various other departments are working with united efforts to tide over this crisis,” Sonowal said.

The Assam Chief Minister also urged people to maintain social distance to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus infection and advised people to abstain social gathering.

Sonowal also visited Goalpara district today and held a review meeting with the district administration to take stock of COVID-19 preparedness in the district apart from visiting a quarantine centre set up at Goalpara College.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati)