While the ‘central government’s’ and ‘state-wise’ helpline numbers are available for ‘COVID-19‘ help, Assam has taken a step ahead. The northeastern state has decided to listen to its residents ‘stranded’ in other states. As ‘migration’ of people amidst lockdown is a major issue ‘Assam’ is looking to address that.
The government of Assam on Monday launched a helpline for such residents. Those residents of Assam who don’t have finances and are stuck can call the helpline number. The #AssamCOVIDHelpline No 96-1547-1547 has been launched. Once a person calls this helpline an automated response would be heard. After that, the call would be disconnected.
After that, a link requesting them to submit their details would be sent. Upon verification, an amount would be submitted to help them. Assam’s state finance and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted about the helpline’s launch.
“Those who are not able to fill the links themselves, we have a group of young volunteers from Gauhati University, Assam Engineering College and Cotton College who assist these people in filling the details. Volunteers will call back everyone to take details“, informed Mr. Sarma. He also informed that the state government received requests from 900 persons who had gone to other parts of India for cancer, kidney, heart, and liver transplant treatments but are now stuck due to lockdown.
Also Read: This ‘Rice ATM’ Is Feeding People Who Are Out Of Work Amidst The ‘Pandemic’
Out of the 900, to 213 such persons, the government has paid Rs 25,000. For rest, verification is going on. The state government has given $1,000 each to 21 Assam residents who are stuck outside India due to international travel prohibitions after having traveled there for temporary reasons. The second installment of $1,000 is scheduled to be paid on April 25, he said.
