No lockdown in Cachar as of now, MLA’s to ensure compliance of SOP, says Minister in review meeting

May 15: With a view to arrest surging COVID-19 cases in the state through continuous monitoring of the situation and ensuring required guidance to district administrations, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma assigned different districts to the ministers of his cabinet. As such, Environment & Forests Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya was entrusted the charge of monitoring the Covid situation in the three districts of Barak Valley (Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi). It is in this connection that Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya chaired a review meeting on the COVID-19 scenario of Cachar district in Silchar on Saturday. 

A threadbare discussion was held as regard the Covid-19 situation in Cachar district. After analysing the scenario, Minister Parimal Suklabaidya asserted that complete lockdown would not be imposed in Cachar district as of now. He, rather insisted upon the strict observation of the ongoing Covid guidelines issued by the state government. The minister, however, added, “If it is found that even after obedience to the Covid guidelines, the number of positive cases increases in the district, then we may have to proceed towards complete lockdown, but at least in the next 4 to 5 days, we won’t declare any lockdown.”

Minister Suklabaidya said, “I urge upon the respective MLAs & district administration to encourage more & more people for testing & to follow all COVID protocols.” Addressing the MLA’s, the Minister said, “I would request all our MLA’s to continuously review the Covid situation in their respective constituencies in association with the district administration and the health department. You should ensure that people abide by all the protocols as announced in the latest SOP issued by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government.”

Chaired a review meeting on the #COVID19 scenario of Cachar district in Silchar today along with Hon’ble MLAs, DC Cachar, SMC&H & district officials.Also urged respective MLAs & district administration to encourage more & more people for testing & to follow all COVID protocols. pic.twitter.com/lhEa4iTvZ6

— Parimal Suklabaidya (@ParimalSuklaba1) May 15, 2021

On the recent issue of vaccine controversy in Cachar, MLA Dipayan Chakraborty said, “The black marketing of Covid vaccine at the office of Additional Joint Director of Health Services inside the campus of SM Dev Civil Hospital in Silchar has hit the headlines even in national media, which is indeed a matter of great concern. I request the District Administration and our Minister Parimal Suklabaidya to look into this matter and take stern steps so that any such attempt does not occur again and the guilty, if any, should be punished.” BJP leader Nitya Bhushan Dey too said that clarity must be adopted while administering the vaccine and no favoritism in this matter should take place.

Replying to a query of Udharbond MLA Mihir Kanti Shome on the vaccination status, DC Keerthi Jalli said that the district administration is now more focused upon providing 2nd dose of vaccine to the beneficiaries as their date for the jab is due.

Present in the meeting were MLAs Dipayan Chakraborty, Misbaul Islam Laskar, Karim Uddin Barbhuiyan, Mihir Kanti Shome, Khalil Uddin Mazumder, Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli, ADC (Health) Sumit Sattavan, BJP leader Nitya Bhushan Dey, officials from Silchar Medical College & Hospital among others. 

It needs mention here that Minister Parimal Suklabaidya also went to Karimganj and a review meeting was held there in the office of the Deputy Commissioner. The minister tweeted, “Today in Karimganj DC office,reviewed the COVID scenario & it’s preparedness by the health authorities & district administration. I was joined by Hon’ble MP of Karimganj & Hon’ble MLAs along with DC & other officials. I have asked the doctors for giving their best in ensuring the best care of patients.Also enquired about the construction of an upcoming oxygen plant in Karimganj Civil Hospital.”

(1/2)Today in Karimganj DC office,reviewed the COVID scenario & it’s preparedness by the health authorities & district administration. I was joined by Hon’ble MP of Karimganj & Hon’ble MLAs along with DC & other officials. pic.twitter.com/BhaZPSO4qq

— Parimal Suklabaidya (@ParimalSuklaba1) May 15, 2021