GUWAHATI, April 26 - The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector of Assam, which is a source of livelihood for lakhs of people, is the worst hit by the novel coronavirus-induced lockdown, revealed State Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary here today.
The minister said that to chalk out a roadmap to revive the economy in the post-lockdown era, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will soon convene a meeting with all noted economists and industry experts of Assam to get their pieces of advice and inputs.
Apart from this, the State government is also seeking opinions from various trade bodies like CII, FINER, etc., on how to revive the State�s economy in the coming days.
Patowary said that every department, especially Agriculture, Veterinary and Industry, will also formulate their plans as damage control measures.
�In the Industry department, we are preparing a note about the revival plan for the post-lockdown era. Moreover, to implement the revival plans, the Transport department will provide all kinds of support to every department,� Patowary said.
It may be noted here that as a measure to collect revenue amid the lockdown period, the government had allowed operation of wine shops with some precautionary measures across the State. Later, the order was withdrawn following an instruction from the Central government.
The State government also hiked the prices of fuels as a measure to collect extra revenue at a time while the prices of crude oil dipped to a record level in the global oil market.
Regarding relaxation of lockdown, Patowary said a further decision will be announced after the scheduled video conference of the Prime Minister with all the Chief Ministers on Monday.
He also made it clear that to curb the spread of coronavirus, the department will never allow plying of Ola and Uber taxis at any condition in the city.
On the other hand, he stated that the validity of transport permits, driving licences, registration certificates, etc., which will expire during this lockdown period, has been extended till June 30, 2020.