Assam Cabinet Clears COVID Action Plan, No Total Lockdown Yet, Economic Package Likely

Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday cleared the COVID Action Plan, details of which would be announced by Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua and Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta at 11 AM on Wednesday. The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma gave approval to several other key decisions.

Assam Cabinet Minister for Health Keshab Mahanta said that there is still no decision about a total lockdown. Certain stringent measures are expected to be announced as part of the COVID Action Plan. Minister Mahanta also spoke of an economic package that could be announced post 15 days of the COVID Action Plan being in force in case further strict steps need to be taken.

The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to give responsibility to each Minister to ensure that COVID protocols are followed in different districts of the state and the COVID situations is brought under control. They have to submit details of action taken and situation on ground in the district in 3 days. This would be another COVID control measure of the state government.

A committee has been set up under the chairpersonship of Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog to ensure the roadmap for implementation of giving appointment to one lakh unemployed youth of Assam. This was a poll promise of the BJP.

Minister for Urban Development and Guwahati Development, Ashok Singhal has been made the head of a committee that would look into issues related to microfinance.

The Cabinet also decided to increase Assam Government's stake in Numaligarh Refinery Limited to 26%. Announcing this, Assam Industries Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that people of Assam's sentiments are involved with NRL as it was set up as per provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985.

Assam Minister for Water Resources Pijush Hazarika said that Cabinet meetings would be held every week from now on. Assam Cabinet will meet every Wednesday between 11 AM to 12 noon unless Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is travelling. This is similar to how consecutive Central governments have been functioning.

Health Minister Mahanta and Water Resources Minister Hazarika have been appointed as the spokespersons for Cabinet briefings. They along with CM's Political Secretary Jayanta Mallah Baruah would be briefing the media after every Cabinet meeting.

This was the first Cabinet meeting after Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government was sworn-in on Monday.

Also Read: List of Newly Elected Assam Cabinet Ministers & Their Ministries, Ajanta Neog Becomes 1st Woman Finance Minister of Assam

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