4.32 lakh calls made, 2.08 lakh forms filled up by Assam residents stranded outside for financial help

April 18: The Assam government on last Monday decided to provide financial assistance to those people from the state stranded in other areas due to the nationwide lockdown, Finance and Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. A helpline number was also given where the people hailing from the state can give a missed call. Once that is done, they will be provided with a link to provide their details, including bank account numbers.

On Friday, a detailed review meeting on the Assam Cares Financial Outreach Scheme was held in Guwahati which was chaired by state Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. The meeting was held to expediate the process of fundd disbursement to eligible residents of the state who are now stranded in different other states due to the nationwide lockdown. The minister tweeted, “we have received 4.32 lakh unique calls and 2.08 lakh filled up forms so far.” 

We had a detail review today on the #AssamCares Financial Outreach Scheme in order to expedite the process of fund disbursement to eligible applicants who are now stranded in different states.we have received 4.32 lakh unique calls and 2.08 lakh filled up forms so far. pic.twitter.com/u552RJYosa

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 17, 2020

The said review meeting was also attended by Minister of State, Pijush Hazarika and other officials of the health department. However, no decision has been taken yet on what amount would be provided as assistance. The exact amount of the assistance will be calculated after taking in consideration the number of calls received The lockdown declared since 24 March was extended upto 3 May, 2020. However, those who were working outside the state but returned home before the lockdown are not eligible for the assistance.

It needs mention here that till now 21 people from Assam stranded abroad have been given $1000 each. Next instalment of same amount will be released on April 25. The assistance is being given to those who went on short trips and not to those working or studying abroad. The Assam government has also provided Rs 25,000 as interim financial help to each of the 213 cancer, kidney, heart and liver transplant patients from the state who went for treatment to different places in the country and got stranded due to the lockdown.