Amid lockdown, the Assam government has decided to provide free rice to the below poverty line (BPL) families with effect from April 1.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting organised in Guwahati on Monday.

The meeting, chaired by Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, discussed the prevailing situation in the state due to the lockdown and the COVID-19.

Informing about the meeting on Monday, the Assam Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on its Twitter handle said: “CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal held a meeting with Ministers in Guwahati and took stock of prevailing situation due to #COVID19 & #Lockdown21.”

“A slew of packages were decided in the meeting to provide relief to the people of Assam,” it added.

Sharing about the decision on free rice distribution among the BPL families, the CMO tweeted: “In the meeting it was decided that starting 1st April, 2020, 58 lakh (approx) BPL households will be provided free rice for which they paid Rs 1/kg previously.”

Keeping in view of the hardships being faced by the construction workers due to the ongoing 21-day nationwide lockdown, the Sonowal Cabinet decided to provide Rs 1,000 each to 2.78 lakh workers across Assam.

CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal held a meeting with Ministers in Guwahati and took stock of prevailing situation due to #COVID19 & #Lockdown21. A slew of packages were decided in the meeting to provide relief to the people of Assam. pic.twitter.com/fMNfOfJqOP — Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) March 30, 2020

Informing about this decision, the CMO tweeted: “Construction workers have faced a lot of hardships during #Lockdown21. Hence in the meeting it was decided to provide ? 1000 each to 2.78 lakh workers across Assam.”

Besides, the Cabinet also resolved to provide one-time financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to the households who have no ration cards and not covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013.

The CMO tweeted: “Poor households without NFSA & ration cards will be given one-time financial assistance of Rs 1000.”

Construction workers have faced a lot of hardships during #Lockdown21. Hence in the meeting it was decided to provide ? 1000 each to 2.78 lakh workers across Assam. — Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) March 30, 2020

“Authorities of food processing industries and tea gardens can approach DCs to resume operations from 1st April, 2020,” it further said.

Authorities of food processing industries and tea gardens can approach DCs to resume operations from 1st April, 2020. — Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) March 30, 2020

Meanwhile, it has been decided that the “construction and repair works of new and existing river embankments will start from 1st April, 2020”.

“Construction workers and others involved have to adhere to the norms laid down by the Health Dept,” it added.