GUWAHATI: After a low-key celebration of Durga Puja last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, people may get a chance to celebrate the much-awaited festival in October with fewer restrictions as the ‘present Covid-19 situation in the state is safe’.
Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, chief executive officer of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), told TOI, “The present situation in the state is safe. However, the scene may change at the time of the Puja. We review the situation weekly and on the basis of that, we decide on the regulations.”
He added that a standard operating procedure will be published by the month-end. “There will be restrictions on gatherings inside and outside pandals. We have to wait for a few more days to get a clearer picture and then decide on the curbs,” he added.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said celebration of Durga Puja will be allowed under strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols. “We had imposed strict curbs for the celebration of Bohag Bihu in April. It is better to celebrate with caution,” he added.
Appealing to the people to get vaccinated before Puja, he said, “There will be no need for strict curbs if people get fully vaccinated. I am told that some people are staying away from the second shot after the improvement in the Covid situation. There is no vaccine shortage in the state at present. I would appeal to the people to get vaccinated.”
Biswajit Pegu, Kamrup (Metro) deputy commissioner, said the mechanism to grant permission to organise the Pujas will more or less remain the same like the previous year. “A thorough survey will be conducted before granting permission. There are over 400 puja committees,” the DC said.
