Assam Government Extends Inter-district Movement of Stranded Citizens till April 30

Guwahati, April 26, 2020:

Assam Finance and Heath Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has informed that the Government of Assam has extended the last date for inter-district travel in the state till April 30.

More than 73,000 applications were received for inter district movement by private vehicles in the state out of which 26,950 applicants availed the benefit till yesterday, Sarma said, adding that 11,588 applications are likely to be cleared by today. However, one vehicle will be approved for one time only. Repeat applications with same vehicle registration number will be rejected.

Initially, 34,559 applications for inter district movement couldn't be considered because those were for round trip movements. Now, the state government has decided to allow round trip movement to those applicants. The round trip movement will be allowed on 28, 29 and 30 April. The round trip applications which were rejected earlier will also be approved, informed Sarma.

Similarly, 41,651 applications have been received for travelling by ASTC. 2,085 applicants travelled on the first day and the number rose to 12,000 in Sunday. "The applicants who wish to travel by ASTC buses can also avail the facility of round trip from 28th to 30th April", Sarma informed.

The minister also said that if the government of India decides, the state government expects to attempt movement of the people of Assam stranded in other states back to Assam after few days.

“Initially, total COVID-19 cases numbered 35, one of them died and we were left with 34 COVID patients. After discharging 19, 15 were left. 8 more COVID-19 patients will be released today”, Sarma said.

Of those who will be discharged, 4 are from the Golaghat Civil Hospital, while the 4 others were undergoing treatment at the MMCH

“Now, “only” 7 patients are still being treated and by April 30th, we will be able to discharge all the patients”, Sarma prophesied.

However, he said that the first patient from Karimganj district, who is said to be suffering from cancer, is repeatedly showing “positive” results.

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Meanwhile, Sarma has announced that 7,616 tests have been conducted so far in 6 Medical Colleges of Assam where the facility is available. The majority of the tests have been conducted at the Gauhati Medical College (3,655) while Dibruhgarh Medical College (1,396), and the Barpeta Medical College (1,047) have also each tested more than 1,000 samples for signs of the contagion.

Sarma added that the results of 209 tests are still awaited by the State’s health department. The Minister also said that the state has “adequate” equipment to fight the virus. While there are 2,70,000 PPE kits in the state, the number of N95 masks is 52,000 and triple-layer masks is 44,00,000.

Assam Cares:

Till now, 49 people from Assam stranded in other countries have been benefited from the scheme. At the same time, 829 patients from Assam stranded in other states have been forwarded a sum of Rs 25,000 each.

Meanwhile, nearabout 2 lakh “underprivileged” people stranded in other states have been provided with Rs 2000 each. Sarma said that a further 1 lakh people will also be paid the sum in the coming few days. “Next month also we will forward them a sum of Rs 1 lakh”, Sarma said.

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