Reopening industrial units need DCs’ nod: Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary

GUWAHATI: In view of the situation arisen due to coronavirus and the related national lockdown, Transport, Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary reviewed the various issues faced by industry and transport sectors with senior officials of the departments at Janata Bhawan on Thursday.

Patowary stated that if an industrial unit needs to reopen, then it has to first apply for permission from the respective deputy commissioners. The DCs in consultation with health officials may grant permission only to those industries producing essential commodities like biscuits, soap, sanitizers, pharmaceutical products, fertilizers, pesticides etc. “As far as the industry department is concerned, it is going to be very careful in reopening of all industries as in the current situation, safety is foremost,” stated the Minister.

So far, 137 industrial units like rice mill, flour mill, pharmaceutical industries, cattle feed, bakery units etc. have reopened in the State after getting due permission from the respective deputy commissioners.

Industries and Commerce Minister has also appreciated the generous contribution of the industrial units to support the endeavour of the Government to counter COVID-19 and also in the distribution of relief materials like food, soap, sanitizers, masks etc. by the industries.

Reviewing the transport sector, Dr KK Dwivedi, Commissioner and Secretary, informed Minister Patowary that the Transport Department has facilitated in mobilization of trucks at 12 locations for unloading of rakes of rice, foods items, cement etc. 800 trucks loaded with essential commodities have been transported for different destinations in Assam. One nodal officer each from NF Railway, Assam Police, Transport and Food and Civil Supplies departments have been ensuring smooth transportation of goods and trucks.

The Transport Minister directed that District Transport Officers (DTOs) in all the districts must assist the police in facilitating the movement of these trucks in their respective districts. “DTOs posted at inter-state border districts of Assam must maintain a record of the number of trucks entering and leaving the state,” added Patowary.

ASTC MD AP Tiwari informed the Minister that the ASTC has also provided a bus to Srirampur with a team of GMCH doctors under the Health and Family Welfare Minister to screen and discharge the people kept in quarantine who were stuck at Bengal border in Srirampur as they were in transit the day lockdown was imposed. Besides, ASTC has also provided 76 buses which are coordinating with district administration, hospitals, police and municipal bodies, a press release said.

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