Population policy: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hopeful of cooperation from all

Population policy: Two-child norm

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is hopeful of getting cooperation from Muslim intellectuals and organizations in implementing the population policy in the State.

The Chief Minister said this on Tuesday while talking to the media on the sidelines of the BJP's first state executive meeting after the government at Dispur.

He said, "Already the State Government has adopted its Population Control and Women Empowerment Policy, and started to work on that line. The two-child norm is not against any caste and community. Among others, this norm aims at making small families amongst the immigrant Muslims for their wellbeing.

"I've already talked to many Muslim social organizations. Next month I'm going to hold talks with 150 Muslim intellectuals. So far, I've not received any objections to the policy from any person or organization. Population control is the only way out for the immigrant Muslims to bail them out from poverty. The immigrant Muslim community should realize that the population boom has affected their socio-economic condition badly.

"We spelt out the advantages and disadvantages of the two-child norms on the floor of the State Assembly. Anyone not following the two-child norm cannot apply for government jobs, nor can they contest panchayat polls. The government has already decided to deny people not following this norm the benefits of various State Government schemes."

The two-child norm aims at the overall development of Muslim women – their health, education, nutrition and whatnot.

Also Read: Muslim to Control Population: CM Himanta's Opinion is One-sided: AIUDF