Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi took stock of the coronavirus situation in the State at a meeting held on Monday at the durbar hall of Raj Bhavan.
The meeting was attended by the chief secretary, director general of police and senior officials of different line departments.
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The Governor underscored the need of constant surveillance and deployment of dedicated men and materials to mitigate the emergent situation arising out of COVID-19.
Prof Mukhi observed that though there were no positive cases of novel coronavirus till March 30, the attendees of Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi reportedly marked the onset of novel coronavirus in the State.
Prof Mukhi appreciated the state machinery for working day in and day out.
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He said the need of the hour is to sustain the constant surveillance throughout the State to contain and control the pandemic.
Also read: Assam Governor reviews coronavirus preparedness in State
Prof Mukhi also said the health service providers should consciously maintain polite and tolerant demeanour with the people suspected of infection and living either in quarantine or isolation centres in the state.
The chief secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna informed the Governor that the Health and Family Welfare Department along with all departments of the State Government are taking utmost care to come out of the menace.
On being asked about the tea gardens and the tea workers scattered across the State, the chief secretary also said through video conferences and through respective district administrations, the Government is in constant touch with the tea garden management.
Moreover, the government is extending the fruits of all welfare services including free rice, dals, sugar etc to the people living in the tea garden areas.
He also said as per the Central Government orders, the tea gardens will be operationalized with 50 per cent employees by maintaining all norms from Friday.
Principal secretary, Labour Welfare Department J B Ekka informed that a sum of Rs 1200 each has been released to 143318 beneficiaries who happen to be widows.
Further 2,70,000 construction workers are also being targeted for various benefits.
Steps have been taken for release of all dues and increase wages under MGNREGA as part of the special package announced by the Central Government.
Principal secretary Samir Sinha, H&FW apprised the Governor of the activities being carried out by the Health and Family Welfare Department to deal with the situation arising out of novel coronavirus outbreak in the State.
He also said a website is being launched which will be exclusively a service providing tool where voluntary persons from medical background or from any field can come and get themselves registered in order to provide voluntary services.
The Governor also stressed that since the economy of Assam is predominantly agriculture based, farmers’ welfare during this epidemic period should be given top priority and the government should lend capacity building to the farmers with regards to cropping and harvesting.
Chief secretary informed that adequate stock of rice and dal is there in FCI and more is being stocked and Gaon Panchayat Samabay Samitees have been directed to lift rice and dal for distribution through fair price shop as per government announcements at the rate of 5 kg rice and 1 kg dal per family.
Additionally, Rs.1000 would be provided to all the beneficiaries concerned.
Principal secretary, Agriculture, Rajesh Prasad informed the Governor that District Level Committees have been formed for harvesting and procurement especially produce of the Rabi crops.
The Governor also said that the department should use different Central and State Governments’ scheme for the empowerment of the farmers.
Director General of Police, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta gave a detailed presentation of the activities carried out the Assam Police.
He also said that 21 numbers of helpline have been set up and in each district nodal team has been constituted for taking care of stray animals.
He informed that till now 16000 requests have been arrived and 9000 elderly persons have been assisted.
He further said that they have established cell for contact tracing under an SP rank officer.
The DGP also apprised that his agency is taking strict action against the violators of the lock down including arrest and registration of FIRs just to ensure that the people remain indoors and adhere to the protocol of social distancing.