Population control policy impacting positively: Health Minister Keshab Mahanta

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Ruling party member Hemango Thakuria appealed to the State government on the floor of the Assam Assembly to make the population control policy of the state more stringent.

In his reply, Health and Family Welfare Minister Keshab Mahanta said, "The Population and Women Empowerment Policy notified in December 2017 has its positive impact on society. The State Government is taking a holistic approach, instead of forcibly implementing the policy."

Earlier, Hemango Talukdar said, "The pace of population growth in Assam is a matter of concern. In some of the districts, the increase in population is alarming. The steep rise in population in the state leads to rampant encroachment of land, including forest land, scarcity of arable land, lack of food grains, beneficiaries glutting government schemes, etc. I feel the State government needs to follow a stricter population control policy."

Keshab Mahanta said, "Under the notified policy of the two-child norm, a person having more than two children cannot contest panchayat and local body polls, hold the post of gaonburas, apply for government jobs etc. We have taken steps to bring awareness among the women in sar and minority-dominated areas. The government will set up nine women's colleges in such areas. Because of the measures we have taken, the IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) has come down in the state. The notified population and women empowerment policy has started to impact society positively. The people of the state have also realized it."

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