Biswanath College organized virtual power seminar on COVID-19 & Assam's economy

A CORRESPONDENT

BISWANATH CHARIALI: With an intention to gauge the crisis in economic sector arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic and means to meet the crisis, the Economics Department of Biswanath College organized a virtual power seminar recently on the topic 'COVID-19 and Assam Economy: Some Concerns'.

As the college stepped into glorious 60 years of its existence this year, the college fraternity decided to celebrate the year-long diamond jubilee by organizing a series of academic activities that will benefit the society in a positive way. The seminar was organized in two sessions- one exclusively for faculty and researchers and the other for students.

Both sessions were compered by Karabi Gogoi, Associate Professor and coordinator of the webinar, followed by a welcome address by Morami Bhattachharya, Vice-Principal of the college. Dr Chinta Mani Sharma, Principal of the college, inaugurated the webinar. Speaking on the subject as resource person, Dr Saswati Choudhury, Associate Professor of Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social sciences and Development, highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in economic recession leading to reduction in employment. The return of youths to their native State from other States across the country in the wake of fear of virus transmission has further added to the woes and posed a threat to the youths who are already in the State and seeking employment. Dr Choudhury opined that agriculture was not the alternative in meeting the crisis at this moment as this step could not guarantee an increase in production. Reduction in demand and further reduction in supply during this pandemic is sure to increase mortality rate in children and mother as there will be substantial fall in the intake of nutritional supplements by women. Substantial fall in GDP for the last three years has further enhanced the economic crisis. The need the hour is to start the MGNREGA scheme which had been stopped by the government, to give some respite to labourers and to reduce rural poverty. 

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