Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal lauds units making face masks

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the mask-making facilities of women SHGs under National Rural Livelihood Mission, Assam at Tatimara, Chandrapur in the city on Thursday and took stock of their activities while encouraging them to continue the economic endeavour. He appreciated the members of women SHGs for setting a strong example of economic resilience in the times of the global pandemic.

Members of 10,659 women SHGs have produced a total of 51,23,194 face masks till now and out of these, 31,71,314 masks have been sold. With the brand name 'Asomi', 84 stalls have been opened to sell masks in 33 districts of the State and a total of Rs 7.15 crore has been earned through the sale of masks by the women SHGs. Also, more than 4 lakh masks have been distributed free of cost.

Later talking to the newsmen, the Chief Minister said that people would need to carry on observing the COVID-19 protocols like wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and frequent hand washing etc till there is no vaccine for the deadly virus and only strict observance of health department guidelines would ensure containment of the outbreak. He also said that steps have been taken to bring back state's people stranded outside and those returnees must also adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

Referring to the 15 people in Guwahati testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday, Sonowal urged people not to panic as only staying united in this fight against the global pandemic can bring victory, a press release said.

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