Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi on Wednesday said the government should give some relaxations to lend its inherent strength to State’s economy at the same time adhering to some restrictions to save precious lives from COVID-19.
He also said since outbreak of novel coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown have hit the economy hard.
Taking stock of the COVID 19 situation in the State at a meeting held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan in Guwahati along with the chief secretary, director general of police and senior officials of different line departments, Governor Prof Mukhi said since the sudden spurt of COVID-19 cases have halted the economic activities of the State, fiscal prudence coupled with subsequent relaxations of lockdown protocols to resume economic activities will bring back the State’s economy on the right trajectory.
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He also said the government machinery should be in the process of ‘framing action plan’ using the right mixture of resumption of economic activities and adherence to adequate social distancing.
Prof Mukhi said after the preventive and assiduous management of COVID-19 pandemic, the State has achieved remarkable success in breaking the chain of transmission and containing the virus which is visible from its tally of active cases in the State.
He also said the State is entering a new phase which is very important and crucial.
“Economy has to be opened. Agriculture and allied activities have gradually been allowed along with pharmaceutical industry. Under such circumstances, social distancing has to be emphasized so that we can achieve two-pronged success in strengthening the economy and defeating the virus”, the Governor professed.
He also asked the chief secretary to motivate social and other organizations to implement the efficacy of social distancing initiatives at the local level and empower people to fight against the virus.
The Governor also said that the deputy commissioners of the respective districts should see that even if the industrial establishments give undertaking for following the social distancing measures, they should personally see that the industries completely adhere to social distancing norms as per the advisories of the government.
In the meeting chief secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna gave a detailed report of the activities of different departments and apprised the Governor of different initiatives that the government has been taking to deal with the COVID-19 situation.
Principal secretary H&FW Samir Sinha, told the Governor that though two more positive cases were reported from Bongaigaon and Goalpara, the Health and Family Welfare Department is managing the situation well with state of the art health care facilities for the COVID-19 positive cases.
He also briefed the Governor of the status of present scenario of State’s current economy.
Principal secretary, Agriculture Rajesh Prasad said all cooperation is being extended to the farmers.
Director general of police, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta briefed about the activities carried out by the Assam Police and the protocols of lockdown compliance.
He also said the Police department is following the national directive of COVID-19 and ensuring social distancing.