Over 4.32 lakh migrant workers from Assam still stranded outside of the state due to lockdown:

Guwahati, April 18: Over 4.30 lakh migrant workers from Assam are still stranded in many states of the country due to the nationwide lockdown.

Assam has conducted 120 tests per million population: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that, the state government has received over 9.29 lakh calls in helpline number provided to the people from Assam stranded outside of the state due to lockdown.

“We have announced that, the state government will provide financial aid to the students, wage laborers, pilgrims who are stranded outside of the state due to lockdown and given a helpline number. Many people from poor and middle-class families are still stranded outside of the state and facing a lot of problems. So that, we have launched a helpline number 9615471547 and those in need will have to give a missed call to the helpline number and they will get a voice mail and SMS with a link. They will have to update their information and bank account details. Till now we have received 9,29,568 called in helpline number. The mobile network service providers told us that, 432383 calls are coming from outside of Assam till now and the scrutiny process is going on,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Addressing a press conference, the Assam minister further said that, out of the 4,32,383 people, 2,17,220 people had filled up the government provided form online and the state government will provide a financial aid to 50,000 people on April 20 at initial stage who are stranded outside of the state.

He said that, if these people will come back to Assam, then it will be a big challenge for the state government for the ongoing fight against the novel Coronavirus.

Among the migrant workers, over 66,000 workers from Assam are stranded in Karnataka, 34,000 in Kerala, 33,000 in Tamil Nadu, 21,000 in Maharashtra, 16,000 in Telanga, 5600 in Gujarat, 4600 in Goa, 4500 in West Bengal.

Himanta Biswa Sarma also said that, the state government has also provided 1000 US dollars to each of 34 people from Assam who are stranded abroad and Rs 25,000 to each of 725 cancer, kidney, heart and liver transplant patients who stranded outside of the state.

He also said that, the state government has decided to reopen a few medical college hospitals for general patients from April 25.

“But the doctor will insist before treating a person whether he is a COVID patient or non-COVID patient. The state government has decided to provide rapid testing kits in our government hospitals. If we get rapid testing kits from the center or other sources, then we are considering reopen the services for general patients at Guwahati Medical College Hospital, Silchar Medical College Hospital and Assam Medical College Hospital by April 25. Apart from it the state government has also decided to collect samples from throat and nose,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The Assam minister further said that, till Saturday, a total of 4400 samples were tested and 34 tested positive and 4199 tested negative and 167 test results are awaited.

“Out of 34 positive cases for COVID-19, 32 cases are related to Nizamuddin Markaz. 12 patients were discharged from various hospitals so far,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

He further said that Assam has conducted 120 tests per 1 million population in the state