Only 2-child policy can remove poverty among Muslims-Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that a two-child policy is the only way to eradicate poverty and illiteracy among  state's Muslim minority. Organisations operating in the community had welcomed his proposal of adopting good family planning norms, including such a policy, he said.

Talking to newsmen in Guwahati, Sarma on Tuesday said that there is no resistance from the Muslim people. The two factions of the All-Assam Minority Students Union met me twice in the past one month and openly welcomed the 2-child proposal, saying Assam's Muslims need population-control measures  as this is the only way through which poverty and illiteracy can be eradicated from the Muslim minorities of Assam.

Sarma said he has invited 150 Muslim intellectuals to meet him on July 4. He also plans to have intensive discussions with various socio-political organisations representing the community. Sarma had a few days ago announced that there will be a gradual implementation of a two-child policy in state-run welfare schemes. His government may even bring in new lagislation during the state Assembly's next budget session in July to enforce it.