STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that without pragmatic population control measures the problem of encroachment could not be solved through evictions in the State. Talking to the media on the completion of one month of the new BJP-led coalition government at Dispur, the Chief Minister said, "If the immigrant Muslims adopt the policy of small families social ailments will come down to a large extent in the State.
The rise in population leads to the problem of space that leads to encroachment. To make the space for their increasing population, we cannot allow them to encroach upon the lands meant for religious institutions and forest areas. Protests in the form of dharnas may come from circles concerned, but the eviction will continue to free religious places and reserve forest areas from encroachers.
"The crux of the problem is the population boom. I appeal to the AMSU (Assam Minority Students' Union) and the AIUDF (All India United Minority Front) leaders to think about the policy of small families. They should hold talks on this issue with the stakeholders of their community and the government. "So long the population explosion continues unabated, poverty cannot be eradicated in the State. This has to be realized by all. How long can the government feed such people with rice at Rs 3 a kg?
"The tribal populace in the State has understood this. They've opted for the policy of small family. They don't destruct the forest cover rather they engage themselves in activities to widen the green cover.
"We have an Act to control the rising population in the State. According to the Act, people not following the two-child norm are barred from contesting panchayat polls and applying for government jobs. The Act needs more teeth. All should realize the consequence of the population boom."