Assam To Create ‘Jansankhya Sena’ To Control Birth Rate In Muslim Dominated Areas: CM

Dispur: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the state government will form a ‘Jansankhya Sena’ comprising 1,000 youth to distribute contraceptives and create awareness about population control in Muslim-dominated areas.

Responding to a question by Congress MLA Sharman Ali Ahmed in the Assam Assembly, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that there has been a population explosion in the western and central parts of the state.

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CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We will involve around 1,000 youths from four-chapori areas (river sand bars) to create awareness about population control and they will also distribute contraception among people in Muslim-dominated areas in the state.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said, ‘Also, we are planning to create a separate force of ASHA workers. 10,000 ASHA workers will be deployed in a separate force and they will be tasked with creating awareness about birth control measures.

How Much Did The Population Increase?

He said, ‘In 2001 the population growth of Hindus in Assam was 16% and Muslim population growth was 29 per cent. The growth of Muslim population in 1991 was 34 per cent and that of Hindus was 19 per cent. Between 1991 and 2001, Muslim population growth declined from 34 per cent to 29 per cent, and that of Hindus from 19 percent to 16 per cent. But from 2001 to 2011, the Muslim population growth rate has not declined and has remained at 29 per cent. The Hindu population growth rate has declined from 16 per cent to 10 per cent between 2001 and 2011.

Along with this, the CM has sought the cooperation of the opposition Congress and AIUDF in fighting the population explosion. He said that population explosion is the root cause of economic disparities and poverty among minority Muslims in Assam.

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We are not against Muslims. We are fighting against poverty. The Assam CM further said that the government is also thinking to increase the minimum age of marriage for women.

Last month, the Assam CM announced that his government would gradually introduce a two-child policy for getting benefits under specific schemes funded by the state. He also appealed to the migrant Muslims in Assam to adopt new norms to control the population.