Chief Minister to review COVID-19 situation in Hailakandi

April 7: The Hailakandi district administration is geared up for Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s visit here on Wednesday to take stock of the COVID-19 situation. After his arrival from Karimganj by chopper in the afternoon, the Chief Minister will hold a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner, MLAs, senior officials of the administration and the district heads of line departments on the COVID-19 situation and discuss about the initiatives taken by the district administration to tackle any exigency arising out it. The Chief Minister is likely to inspect a quarantine facility here. Security has been beefed up in the district in the wake of visit of the Chief Minister.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, additional rice is being distributed to Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Household beneficiaries. Moreover, through the network of banks and CSPs, financial sanctions of varying amounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana are being transferred directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. “The beneficiaries are being handed out money through our network of banks and CSPs in a systematic manner by maintaining social distancing with the help of magistrates, Lead District Manager and police,” said a bank official of SBI.

Doorstep withdrawal services are being offered by SBI, Katlicherra branch through mobile CSP points for senior citizens and ladies. Screening for symptoms and swab test collections are being done day in and day out by the health surveillance teams. The administration has urged one and all to abide by home quarantine rules and help in keeping Hailakandi Coronavirus free.

Quarantine centres are being prepared across the district for any case of emergency. The Circle Officers are taking the initiative and ensuring arrangements. A 40-bedded quarantine facility has been set up at the District Institute for Education and Training. Even tea garden authorities like Dholai tea estate, Monipur and Narsinghpore have come forward and have toned up their medical facilities with quarantine and isolation wards.

Training of health staff is being undertaken across all levels to ensure their preparedness to fight against Coronavirus on a daily basis. Constant review meeting of health officials with district administration is being carried out to motivate and support the front line health workers. COVID-19 awareness camps are being held in each tea garden by mobile medical units across the district.

The administration has adjudged BPM, Manjir Ahmed Choudhury and ABPM, Tajuddin Laskar, both from Lala BPHC as star performers of the week. While they were on their way to render medical help in the late evening hours, they met with an accident and sustained injuries. Despite advice from doctors for bed rest, both resumed duties the next day in view of the Coronavirus situation. Complimenting the health functionaries, Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli said, “We salute their spirit of duty and service. It will inspire and motivate others to give their best shot to enable us to overcome the huge challenge posed by novel Coronavirus COVID-19 menace.”

1,571 persons are now under home quarantine with 12 more quarantined on Tuesday. Of the 51 swab samples sent to the Silchar Medical College & Hospital, 44 have tested negative. 25 swab samples tested today turned out negative.

Meanwhile, the administration terminated the retail licence of Fair Price agent under Mohanpur GPSS Limited, Nizamuddin Laskar for non distribution of rice under NFSA for the month of March. On inquiry by Sub Inspector, Food Civil Supplies and Corporate Affairs, D. Pathak, it was found that Laskar unauthorisedly shifted his FP shop to another goan panchayat and also closed his shop during working hours. He failed to produce sale and stock registers.