New Scheme On The Way For COVID-19 Pandemic Hit Street Vendors: Assam Govt

Guwahati: The street vendors of Assam who have been suffered huge financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic can now heave sighs of relief as the Assam government has announced financial assistance under a new scheme. The restrictions and curfews imposed in the state due to the pandemic had made it impossible for the street vendors to go on with their businesses. 

It was announced that financial relief will be provided to the new vendors under a new scheme. The announcement was made by the Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Tuesday.

"We will bring a new scheme for street vendors in 10-15 days who have faced the wrath of Covid -19 financially and provide them with financial assistance. It will be announced within a few days," the Chief Minister said. 

Previously, Assam CM Sarma had announced one-time relief of Rs. 10,000 each for bus drivers and helpers of privately operated buses under a COVID relief package.

"Due to closure of inter-district movement in the last three-month long-distance buses are not playing, the driver and helper are facing financial hardship. To assist them we will provide Rs 10,000 to each of them. This scheme will encompass 60,000 people," he said.

The package also included one-time relief of Rs. 15,000 each for the priests of temples and heads of Namghars. "Priest and persons associated with Namgarhs will be given one-time assistance of Rs 15,000." 

The Assam Chief Minister had also announced that the state government will get hold of 200 electric buses and 100 CNG buses for public transportation in Guwahati in an effort to reduce carbon footprint. He also added that the state government has made plans to incentivise private operators to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles in the long run.

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