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Assam's Population Policy Shift: Why Tea Tribes and ST Communities Get Exemption

The Assam cabinet has made a significant policy shift by exempting specific communities from the two-child norm. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma explained this decision aims to protect micro communities from potential extinction. The exemption covers Tea Tribe, Moran, Motok and Scheduled Tribe communities based on social scientists' recommendations. This move reflects the government's concern about demographic preservation for vulnerable populations.

Key Points: Assam Exempts Tea Tribe ST Communities from Two-Child Policy

  • Cabinet exempts four communities from two-child policy to prevent demographic extinction
  • Decision based on social scientists' recommendations for micro communities
  • Approval granted for land pattas to tea garden workers in labour lines
  • Teacher service period reduced from 5 to 3 years for regularization
2 min read

Assam cabinet exempts Tea Tribe, Moran-Motok, ST communities from State Population Policy

Assam cabinet relaxes two-child norm for Tea Tribe, Moran, Motok and ST communities to protect micro communities from demographic decline, citing expert recommendations.

"If we restrict their population, they may cease to exist after 50 years. - Himanta Biswa Sarma"

Guwahati, October 23

The Assam cabinet on Thursday decided to exempt members of the Tea Tribe, Moran, Motok and Scheduled Tribe communities from the provision of restricting the number of children to two under the State Population Policy.

The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Announcing the cabinet decision, the Assam Chief Minister said, "We are relaxing two two-child norms for the tribal, tea tribes, and the Moran-Matak community people are concerned. Because they are a micro community. If we restrict their population, they may cease to exist after 50 years. So we have taken opinions from various social scientists and we have come to the conclusion that our strict population control policy needs to be relaxed so far as these four communities are concerned."

The state cabinet approved tabling of the Tiwari Commission Report, which probed the 1983 Nellie massacre, in the upcoming November session of the Assam Legislative Assembly.

"The cabinet has approved the increase in project cost of Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited's 500 TPD Methanol Plant and 200 TPD Formalin Plant from Rs 1,709.18 crore to Rs 2,267.22 crore, along with the additional equity contribution to be made by the state government," the Assam Chief Minister said.

He further said that the state cabinet held a detailed discussion on the proposal to grant land pattas to tea garden workers residing in labour lines and gave in-principle approval to the proposal.

"The service period required for regularisation of teachers working under Samagra Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Assam, through a special recruitment drive has been reduced from five years to three years. This will benefit around 3,000 teachers currently serving under the Mission," CM Sarma said.

The cabinet also decided to reduce the mandatory service period at a station for the transfer of male teachers from 10 years to 7 years.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
While I understand the need to protect small communities, I'm concerned this creates inequality in population policy. Why should some communities follow two-child norm while others don't? The policy should be uniform for all citizens.
A
Arjun K
Good move! The Moran and Motok communities are indeed small in numbers and need protection. Also appreciate the land pattas for tea garden workers - long overdue. The government is addressing genuine concerns of indigenous people. 👍
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked with tribal communities in Northeast India, I can say this exemption makes sense. These communities have unique cultural identities that need preservation. The government consulted social scientists which shows they did their homework.
V
Vikram M
The reduction in service period for teacher regularization from 5 to 3 years is excellent news! This will help thousands of dedicated teachers. Overall, the cabinet decisions seem balanced and people-friendly.
N
Nisha Z
Hope this doesn't lead to demographic imbalance in the long run. The government should monitor the situation carefully and review this exemption periodically. Still, it's good they're thinking about community preservation.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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