GUWAHATI, Aug 14 - Along with the rest of the country, the 74th Independence Day will also be celebrated in Assam tomorrow, albeit in a low-key manner due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State�s central function will be held at the Judges� Field here after a long time. For several years now, it was being organised at the Veterinary Playground at Khanapara which now hosts a Covid care centre.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will unfurl the Tricolour at 9 am, which will be followed by a parade. The Chief Minister will also deliver his customary speech.
No other programme has been scheduled at the central function.
School children who remained an integral part of the celebrations will miss the occasion this time.
Brief programmes are also being organised at the district headquarters and at government and non-government offices.
The government has issued a set of guidelines for maintenance of COVID-19 protocols and social distancing norms during the programmes. Public attendance at the programmes has been restricted.
Coinciding with the Independence Day celebrations, the State government also announced pensions and ex-gratias to noted personalities of the State. Forty-three persons will get this year�s literary pension. A one-time special financial assistance of Rs 50,000 has been announced for 20 families of deceased artistes. Family pension of Rs 4,000 has been announced to families of 14 deceased artistes. A hundred artistes will receive a pension of Rs 8,000 for their contribution in the field of art and culture. A one-time financial grant of Rs 50,000 has been announced for 75 artistes. Forty sportspersons will also be getting pension, while 40 others have been chosen for a one-time grant of Rs 50,000.
