'No Controversy In Assam': CM Himanta Sarma On 2-Child Policy, Set To Meet Muslim Intellectuals

In June, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Assam government will gradually incorporate a two-child policy for availing benefits provided by the state.

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Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will interact with intellectuals from the Muslim community in Assam on Sunday on the need for a two-child policy.

After taking over the post of Chief Minister, Sarma has been talking about implementing population control measures especially a two-child norm for the Muslim community in the state.

Talking about the meet, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "I am going to meet 150 Muslim intellectuals. During the last month, I met both fractions of the All Assam Minority Students' Union and everybody has said that population is a problem and we need to resolve it. In Assam, there is no controversy (about it)".

"Now, if they (people outside the state) don't understand the seriousness of the situation and they create controversy merely because a BJP CM has said this. This can't be a controversy. People should welcome if somebody is trying to eradicate poverty and illiteracy among minority people," he added.

The remarks have come in reference to Himanta's earlier statement triggering debate.

In June, the Assam CM announced that "be it loan waiver or other government schemes, population norms will be taken into account. It won't be applicable to tea garden workers/SC-ST community".

"In the future, population norms will be taken into account as eligibility for government benefits. Population policy has begun," he added.

Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that his statement can be considered as an announcement and that the government will gradually incorporate a two-child policy for availing benefits provided by the state.

Regarding the meeting with Muslim intellectuals, the official release of the state government stated: "An interactive session, 'Alaap Aru Alochana' (meaning talks and discussion) by the Chief Minister with intellectuals and leading persons of minority community will be held on Sunday at Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara."