Assam: At Himanta's first Cabinet meeting, he announces new measures to tackle COVID
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Guwahati, May 12: The newly formed Assam cabinet headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held its first meeting on Tuesday. CM Sarma said that to contain COVID cases in the state, more restrictions and containment measures would be put in place from May 13, 2021.
"The new Cabinet held its first meeting on May 11, 2021 and resolved to fulfill the promises made to our people. We have taken our first steps in this journey with the following decisions," the Chief Minister tweeted. The detailed Standard operating procedure (SoP) for the new restrictions and containment measures that are to be practiced from May 13, will be issued on Wednesday. In case restrictions have to continue for more than a fortnight, the govt will consider a financial relief package for weaker sections, Sarma said.
Moreover, the cabinet decided to ease the burden of loans from micro finance institutions. A committee has been constituted to examine various aspects and make recommendations within one month. The cabinet also approved increasing the stake of Govt of Assam in Numaligarh Refinery Limited from the present 12.35 per cent to 26 per cent, involving a sum of Rs 2,187 crore. "This is the biggest single investment in the industrial sector ever by the state govt," Sarma said.
Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister of Assam on Monday. BJP-led NDA secured a comfortable majority in Assam winning 75 seats of the total 126 constituencies. While BJP secured 60 seats, about 33 per cent, its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party, Liberal (UPPL) bagged nine and six seats respectively.