Census records fewer children in Sikkim

SNS, Gangtok, 18 July 2013: The Census of India 2011 was released today by the Directorate of Census Operation, Gangtok. According to its primary census, the child fertility rate in Sikkim has decreased. 

"The decline in child population is due to the decline in fertility, a common phenomenon throughout the country,” said Dr DK Dey, Director of Census Operation, Sikkim. 

Dr Dey added that the decrease in the number of children is due to the state government encouraging people to keep the child population ratio stable. 

The Directorate of Census Population released a soft copy on census population up to village and ward level at the ICAR conference hall in Gangtok, during a programme chaired by Director, Public Information Bureau (PIB), Gangtok, CK Dorjee. 

Mr Dorjee, in his address, said that the information depends on the desire of people and the geographical dynamics of the area. He said that Sikkim has recorded a 150 per cent increase in urban population, while, simultaneously, the rural population has decreased by 11 per cent in the last decade. 

Dr Dey added that the state has topped the sex ratio ~ with 990 females for 1,000 males in urban areas and 882 females for 1,000 males in rural areas ~ as compared to other states in the country. 

He said the fall in the number of children is also due to increased female literacy, women opting for late marriages and the decrease in premature marriages, and a change in the attitude of people in the state.