Provide Vaccines At Doorstep not Liquor, Akhil Gogoi Tells State Govt

GUWAHATI:

Lone Raijor Dal MLA from Sivasagar and renounced peasant leader Akhil Gogoi posed a question to the Assam Government for its decision to allow the online purchase of liquor and its delivery to the customer's doorstep for a month-long trial basis in areas under the administration of Guwahati Municipal Corporation. 

Gogoi accused the government of being insane, claiming that instead of delivering vaccines to every family through a door-to-door campaign, the government was instead permitting home delivery of alcohol. 

The peasant leader stated that it is a matter of sheer irony that in a time when people compellingly require vaccination to fight against the deadly contagion at their doorstep, the government is instead providing alcohol on a door to door basis. 

"In today's context the people of Assam needs vaccines at their door step and instead of doing the right thing, the government is now selling liquor on door to door basis. It's an irony," stated the Sivasagar MLA. 

"It's a shame at this time. I hope the government will reconsider its decision and focus on vaccinating each and everyone in the state immediately. Also, the government should provide a Covid19 compensation policy for those who have been hit hard due to the lockdown and the situation," Gogoi stated. 

On Wednesday, the state cabinet in Assam decided to approve online liquor purchases and home delivery for a month in Guwahati municipal areas as an experiment. The decision was made to cut down on the last-minute rush, which could alleviate the risk of disease transmission.   

"Taking the Supreme court and Madras high court verdict into consideration, the government of Assam has decided to allow the online purchase of liquor for one month. This facility will be applicable only in Guwahati Municipal areas," said Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta. 

Since this exercise is an one month experiment, the state Health Minister said that if it runs well then it will continue further, or else it will be halted.  

Photo Courtesy - time8

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