No official decision yet on Durga Puja celebrations: Health Minister Keshab Mahanta

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Durga Puja is in the first half of October. Dispur, however, is still undecided if it will allow the celebrations. Whatever the government decides, it will depend on the Covid-19 situation in the state.

Dispur allowed Durga Puja celebrations last year amidst restrictions – the minimum gathering and the continuation of celebrations up to 9 pm. Puja pandals were fewer last year.

When asked about the Durga Puja celebrations, Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said, "It is not possible to say anything right now. We have faced the second wave of the Covid-19 without total lockdown. We are flattening the Covid-19 graph slowly. We should not take any decision in haste that may push us to a situation like total lockdown again. Any decision on the Durga Puja depends largely on the Covid-19 situation."

On the Covid-19 front, the minister said, "We have intensified the vaccination drive in Guwahati from today. Booth-level officers are going door-to-door to collect the names of 18+ people who have not taken vaccines as yet. We will inoculate them in their respective polling booths.

"Medicos inoculated people in Guwahati 100 vaccination centres today. We have set the target to complete the vaccination drive in Guwahati by September 5.

"We are preparing a new SOP (Standard Operating Procedures). Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will have the final say on the SOP. The new SOP with many relaxations will come into effect from the first week of September."

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