The Assam government has decided to start online sale, purchase and home delivery of liquor in Guwahati “in view of rising the number of COVID-19 cases”.
The online sale, home delivery of liquor will be in force for a month within the area of Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to avoid crowding outside liquor shops.
Assam water resources minister and spokesperson of the government, Pijush Hazarika, said that, the state cabinet has decided to start online sale of liquor within the area of GMC for a month as an experiment.
“The Assam cabinet has taken the decision on an experimental basis to avoid crowding outside liquor shops during the non-curfew hours. We have taken the decision on the basis of the directives of the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court,” Pijush Hazarika said.
In last 10 days, 2050 COVID-19 positive cases have been detected in Guwahati and Kamrup (Metro) district.
Assam on Thursday had reported 1992 new COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 1.65 per cent and 27 deaths.
On the other hand, the Assam cabinet also decided that, the tea garden labourers will be given employment under MGNREGA during the winter season when tea production is less. They will be provided work in pond excavation, road building etc. under MGNREGA.
Under MGNREGA, valuable trees like Agar, Som etc will be planted for economic benefit. Also, community ponds will be created under MGNREGA in large numbers.
The cabinet meeting chaired by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma decided that, funds received under 15th Finance Commission would be utilised for renovating schools, parks etc in the villages.
Other decisions taken by the cabinet are – Guwahati Development Department and Urban Development Department would be merged and renamed as Housing & Urban Affairs Department; General Administration Department and Secretariat Administration Department would be merged and renamed as General Administration Department; I&PR minister would be empowered to directly approve necessary payment against the advertising dues of print and electronic media houses; the present residence of Chief Justice of Assam would be declared as a heritage building and preservation measures would be taken.
The Assam cabinet declared Golaghat and Sarupathar Revenue Circles as drought-hit. Revenue & disaster management minister Jogen Mohan and irrigation minister Ashok Singhal would travel there in presence of finance minister Ajanta Neog and inquire about drought incidents for releasing compensations.
