GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has emphasised that the state’s per capita income will not rise unless population growth is controlled.
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"Per capita income is not just an economic indicator; it is also a social indicator," he said this on Thursday, February 20, while speaking in the assembly during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the governor’s speech. "If a family has more members, naturally, the per capita income will decline. Only when we control the population, will the state see an increase in per capita income."
He further asserted that per capita income is not just an economic measure but also a social one, adding that larger families tend to have lower individual earnings. According to him, regulating population growth is key to improving Assam’s overall financial standing. The state’s ongoing campaign against child marriage, he said, is expected to contribute to this effort by helping reduce birth rates.
Sarma also reiterated that his stance on child marriage is not politically motivated but driven by developmental concerns. He expressed confidence that the positive impact of these measures would become evident in the coming years.
Additionally, Sarma announced that from the next financial year, the government plans to provide additional financial support to farmers over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops such as paddy, mustard, corn, and maize.