Declining fertility rate in Sikkim aserious issue, says Chief Minister

SUJAL PRADHAN, EOI, GANGTOK, JANUARY 17, 2023 : The declining fertility rate is what the Sikkimese society must think about and act, says Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. This concern is reflected in many of the remedial plans today.

The Sikkim Chief Minister has talked about the issue on various occasions in recent days and in public speeches. On Thursday, too, during the foundation stone laying event for upgrading the Chupcha Choling Duchi Gurung Gumpa at Parakha, Pakyong he raised the issue. 

The Chief Minister said“ the declining fertility rate is a major concern for us, our population is getting less and if this trend continues then that would be very bad. Hence to control the same we have started“ Vatsalya.” a scheme for benefitting the mothers and increasing the fertility rate in Sikkim. 

This is a women-centric scheme where an amount of Rs.3 lakh of financial assistance for treating infertility would begiven to couples having difficulty in conceiving.

The couples can undergo In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. 

Similarly, now we will soon start an increment policy for government employees. Those who bear two children will be provided with one increment and if she bears three children then we will provide two increments.

For non-government employees and women, we will come up with other economic packages, for example grant of Rs 1 lakh for a second baby. 

”Laying the foundation stone for upgrading the gumpa, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 5crore for the project. He said the State Government had prioritized the health and education sector as essential; for the long-term development for the state. The establishment of different universities in the upcoming days will set anew benchmark for quality education in the entire state. 

He wanted educated intellectual youth of the Sikkimese society who had diverse wisdom and foresight, to apply their intellect and forward-looking visions for awakening the society and also apply their knowledge to shape and protect, social standards and values. 

He urged the public to avail the facilities, and technical support provided by the State Government and also to adopt tourism to uplift the rural economy as through development a progressive society can be fostered. 

At the outset, the Chief Minister also visited Ram Mandir at Thekabong and the Machong Gumpa where he took a blessing from the newly incarnated Pathing Rimpochee and also interacted with the committee members of the Gumpa. Gumpa President KB Gurung expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for fulfilling the commitment of the upgrading the Gurung Gumpa. 

He said the Chupcha Choling Duchi Gurung Gumpa at Prakha was established in the year of1994. MLA Gnathang Machong D.T Lepcha in his address placed various demand for the development of the Pakyong District, such as beautification, a new district hospital along with quarters for the staff, a working women's hostel road widening at Gnathang Machong and prompt resumption of services at Pakyong airport.(With IPR inputs)