Assam Releases Rs 15 Lakh for 21 Citizens Stuck Abroad amid Corona Crisis

Guwahati, April 4, 2020:

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that upwards of Rs 15 lakh has been released by the Government to help the people from the State who are stuck in other countries.

Addressing the media here today, he said that the Government is taking an initiative to help the people from Assam who are stranded in other countries. Thus far, Rs 15,84,870 has been released for 21 Assamese citizens stuck in other countries, informed.

Speaking on the lines of the economic downturn amid the ongoing coronavirus (or COVID-19) threat, he informed that the people have to be prepared for the coming months as there is no possibility of developing a vaccine till Diwali, Sarma said, adding that the Government is preparing itself for the long haul.

In the meantime, he said that as many as 5 hospitals will be built in the State, amid an uptick in the number of coronavirus cases. Doctors and other medical personnel, he said, after 7 days of working, will have to go into quarantine for 14 days. They will stay at the Taj Hotel, he said, adding that that from 6 April onwards, they will stay there.

Moreover, the Government has given life insurance of Rs 50 lakh to the front line workers such as the 108 and the 104 workers.

For 3 months asha workers will also be given a 'salary' of Rs 1000, as per Central Government guidelines, he said. Moreover, 108 drivers and EMTs will receive an additional Rs 1000 (apart from their salaries) during the next 3 months. He further added that on April 9, all State Government employees will receive full salaries. However, to fight against the coronavirus, 1 day's salary will be deducted. "If anybody has objection, they should inform the DDO and salaries won't be deducted", he further informed.

The Minister also called upon the Government employees to distribute food items to at least 5 needy families during Bohag Bihu. The employees may upload their pictures to a new Government website, Assam Cares, or mygovassam or the NHM site.

Earlier today, yet another person was tested positive for the COVID-19, taking the toll to 25. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that this case was also linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz.

“Alert ~ One more 

The Delhi-based headquarter of Tablighi Jamaat, an evangelical Muslim sect, in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area has emerged as the new hotspot for coronavirus infection, thereby posing as a threat across the country.

Attendees from Indonesia, Malaysia, Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal, Meghalaya had participated in the Tablighi Jamaat annual congregation amid the nationwide lockdown.

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