Be prepared for floods: CM Sarbananda Sonowal to Dhemaji administration

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited Jonai in Dhemaji district and took stock of the COVID-19 preparedness. He also chaired a review meeting with the officials of the sub-division and Dhemaji district administration at Jonai Circuit House. He issued instructions to the district administration to take preparatory measures for the forthcoming floods along with the challenges posed by the pandemic. Appreciating the people of the State for maintaining COVID-19 protocols which helped the government in containing the pandemic so far, Sonowal urged the people not to panic in view of the rapid spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the State in the last few days. He also urged the Muslim community to curtail the festivities during the forthcoming Eid and perform Namaz indoors so that the chain of infection can be broken.

Directing DC Dhemaji and SDO Civil Jonai to maintain all facilities like hygienic food, clean drinking water and power supply in the 6 quarantine centres set up for the affected patients in Jonai, the Chief Minister directed the PHE department to set up hygienic temporary toilets in the community quarantine centres. He directed DC and SP to call up senior citizens in the society and enquire about their wellbeing during these difficult times, also instructing them to create awareness about maintaining quarantine norms.

Directing the bank officials present in the meeting to extend all possible help towards MSMEs in Dhemaji district, the Chief Minister said that it was important to identify potential MSMEs for the banks in coordination with Industries department so that MSMEs could take advantage from the Rs. 20 lakh crore package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to State government's meeting with the banks recently, Sonowal said that banks have committed to provide collateral free loans to MSMEs and State government has decided to become guarantors so that MSMEs can avail bank loans without any hassle. He also urged the MSMEs to come forward to take advantage of this initiative.

The Agriculture department appraised the Chief Minister that record 400 MT maize were produced in Jonai this year which is the highest production in the State and the department requested the Chief Minister for setting up processing units of maize in Dhemaji district, so that products like cattle feed etc. can be produced. The Chief Minister assured of looking into the matter at the earliest.

Sonowal also took stock of the situation arising out of pig farmers being affected by African swine fever related pig deaths and asked the district administration to prepare a list of all those affected farmers for extending financial help. He also responded affirmatively to the request of appointing a full time veterinary officer in Jonai and said that the immense potential in sectors such as fisheries and piggery must be exploited for development of rural economy in the district.

MP Tapan Gogoi, MLAs Bhuban Pegu, Ranuj Pegu, Prasanta Phukan, Rituparna Baruah, DC and SP Dhemaji, SDO Civil Jonai were also present in the meeting along with officials of other departments. Earlier the Chief Minister visited the 55 patient capacity quarantine centre set up at Murkong Selek College, Jonai and took stock of the various facilities there. A press release stated.