Population policies shift: CM Sarma encourages Hindus to increase births; Relaxations in norms for specific communities noted

Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday appealed to Hindus in Assam to have at least two children, or even three, considering the increase in population in minority areas of Assam.While interacting with mediapersons at Sarbhog in lower Assam, Sarma said, “In these areas, their (Muslims) childbirth rate is higher. Among our Hindu people, the childbirth rate is gradually decreasing. So, there is a difference that exists. That’s why we tell the Hindu people not to stop at 1 child. They should give birth to at least two children. Those who can, give birth to even three children.”He said if the Hindus follow a single-child policy, “in future, there will be no one to look after their families.”Sarma also appealed to Muslims not to have “eight or seven children.”Earlier in Dec, the Assam govt brought relaxations in its two-child norm for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, tea garden workers, Moran and Matak communities by amending its Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam, 2017.As per a notification issued by the state health and family welfare department on Dec 5, members of these categories became eligible again for recruitment in govt jobs, contesting elections, and receiving incentives provided to self-help groups even if they have three children.In Oct, the state cabinet decided to exempt these communities from the two-child rule. Sarma said at the time the decision was essential to safeguard vulnerable groups, as these communities were considered at risk of demographic decline.The Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam, 2017 introduced the two-child norm in the state. Following the policy, the Assam Public Services (Application of Small Family Norms in Direct Recruitment) Rules, 2019 brought the two-child policy into force from Jan 2021.The two-child policy continues to apply to other communities in contesting gaon panchayat elections following an amendment in 2018.