Assam governor favours relaxation of certain lockdown norms
In a review meeting with top officials, including thechief secretary and the director general of police, Mukhi saidthe government machinery should be in the process of framingan action plan using the right mixture of resumption ofeconomic activities and adherence to adequate socialdistancing.
"Mukhi said since the outbreak of novel coronavirusand the subsequent lockdown have hit the economy hard, thegovernment should give some relaxations to lend its inherentstrength to state's economy, at the same time adhering to somerestrictions to save precious lives from COVID-19," anofficial release said.
He said fiscal prudence coupled with subsequentrelaxations of lockdown protocols to resume economicactivities will bring back the state's economy on the righttrajectory.
After the preventive and assiduous management ofCOVID-19 pandemic, the state has achieved success in breakingthe chain of transmission and containing the virus, which isvisible from its tally of active cases in the state, Mukhiclaimed.
Assam has reported 37 positive cases so far, but theUnion ministry of health and family welfare website has putthe figure at 38.
"Economy has to be opened. Agriculture and alliedactivities have gradually been allowed along withpharmaceutical industry. Under such circumstances, socialdistancing has to be emphasised so that we can achieve two-pronged success in strengthening the economy and defeating thevirus," Mukhi said.
He asked the chief secretary to motivate social andother organisations to implement the efficacy of socialdistancing initiatives at the local level and empower peopleto fight against the virus.
The governor also said the deputy commissioners of the districts should see that even if the industrial units giveundertakings to follow the social distancing measures, theofficials should personally ensure that the norms aremaintained.
In the meeting, Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishnagave a detailed report of the activities of variousdepartments and apprised Mukhi of different initiatives thatthe government has been taking to deal with the COVID-19situation.
The Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahantabriefed the governor about the activities carried out by theAssam Police and the protocols of lockdown compliance. TRNN NN