Debabrata Saikia moves CM Sonowal to manage vaccines & oxygen cylinders

Suggests measures to control pandemic which has taken a 'dreaded' form

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In view of the rising cases of COVID-19, Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has appealed to the State government to manage sufficient vaccines and oxygen cylinders.

In a letter to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Saikia underlined that the COVID-19 has taken a drastic and dreaded form.

"All of us are aware that the first wave of COVID-19 paralyzed the State economy. In this regard, the SITA (State Innovation & Transformation Aayog) in 2020 submitted a report to the State government to control the pandemic. The report stressed that due to COVID-19, 50 per cent population of Assam will fall under BPL (Below Poverty Line). On the other hand, the unemployment crisis will increase from the current 8 per cent to 16-20 per cent. According to the report, around 67 lakh people will lose their source of income. The pandemic will also severely affect the commerce, trade, construction, tourism, and hospitality sectors," said Saikia.

The Congress leader pointed out that, the SITA also recommended the State government to provide financial assistance to the unorganized, industrial and agriculture sectors.

Similarly, Subhash Das Committee also submitted a report recommending the government to focus on unorganized, industrial, and skill development sectors which have been affected by the pandemic. Saikia asserted that while limited lockdown is underway in Assam, there are high chances that a total lockdown will be implemented across the State. He requested the Chief Minister to implement the recommendations of the SITA and the Subhash Das Committee.

Further, he appealed to the Chief Minister to take the following measures given the current COVID situation —

The government should speed up vaccination programmes.

Temporary COVID hospitals should be established in every district, along with sufficient oxygen cylinders.

Financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month to BPL families.

Assistance for small traders, and low-income employees of private institutes.

Tea gardens should be run with limited employees as it is not possible to completely shut down the gardens. Full wages, ration should be provided to the workers who are staying at home.

In every subdivision, a hospital should be designated to treat other health conditions like accidents, heart diseases, high blood pressure etc.

To save the education system, an online learning process should be introduced. The government should provide smartphones to students from economically weaker families.

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