Sarbananda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma discuss steps to combat Covid-19

The uncertainty over who the BJP will appoint as the next chief minister of Assam has not prevented incumbent CM Sarbananda Sonowal from discussing the Covid-19 situation in the state with health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

On Wednesday, state authorities reported a record 55 deaths due to Covid-19.

Senior BJP leaders are currently engaged in West Bengal which has seen post-poll violence since Monday. This has delayed the formation of a government in Assam.


The BJP along with its allies has won a second term in Assam in the just-concluded Assembly polls.

On Thursday, Sonowal spoke to Sarma on the phone and later held a video conference with deputy commissioners.

Sonowal directed the DCs to take approximate measures to control price rise of essential goods and medicines. He also asked the DCs to regularly visit the hospitals to review the Covid-19 situation and check whether medicines supplied by the government were available in hospitals.

Sonowal stressed on generating more awareness on Covid-19 and suggested that the public should be informed about the situation in the districts on a daily basis.

He asked the DCs to take joint measures in consultation with tea garden managements to control the spread of infection in the estates. Sonowal also directed the DCs to fix rates of essential commodities in consultation with the chambers of commerce, besides asking APDCL to maintain regular supply of electricity during this critical period and sanitisation of weekly markets by the administration.

The BJP leader also directed the health department to take all possible measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

He also advocated working with ‘Team Assam’ spirit to boost the morale of healthcare and frontline workers.

The DCs informed the CM about the measures taken in their respective districts for control and treatment of Covid-19 patients, including vaccination, setting up of Covid care centres, availability of ICU beds, oxygen, etc.