STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Leader of opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia wrote a letter to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday, demanding financial assistance to small traders and wage labourers.
Saikia stated that the tea gardens should be closed till March 31 and during the period the workers should not be deprived of their wages.
Further, he expressed his gratitude to the State government for the steps taken against the outbreak of coronavirus.
In the letter, Saikia lauded the government’s decision to postpone the BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) polls. He also welcomed the government’s initiative to allow 50 percent employees to attend the office and $2,000 assistance to Assam students who are stuck in a foreign country.
Saikia added that the above mentioned steps are not sufficient for the well being of a State. Giving example of Kerala, he said that the state has introduced a scheme of Rs. 20,000 crore for the economic safety of the people. Assam government should also take a similar step. “The tea garden workers should be allowed to self quarantine till March 31 and they should not be deprived of their daily wages. Similarly, small traders and wage labourers should be given financial assistance as their businesses are being hampered amid the corona scare”, he asserted.