Dipping fertility rate: Sikkim CM highlights his govt’s steps to arrest it

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang today once again batted for producing more children and discussed ways to increase the fertility rate of the Sikkimese people in the state. Speaking on the foundation laying ceremony of Chupcha Choling Duchi Gurung Gumpa at Parakha, Pakyong, the Sikkim Chief Minister highlighted the benefits made available by his government and also sought support from the society. This is indeed significant from the point of view that the fertility rate in the Himalayan state has dipped to an alarming low of 1.1 in 2021.
It needs to be mentioned that Sikkim CM PS Tamang had announced on January 15 that employees with 2 children will get one increment and those with more than two children will get two increments.
“Child care facilities will be available in every government office,” CM Tamang had added.
These measures are part of the Sikkim government’s initiatives to encourage Sikkimese families to give birth to more children amid plummeting fertility rates.
Not only this, on January 13, Chief Minister Tamang had announced that his government has decided to grant 365 days (one year) maternity leave to all expecting casual government women employees including probationary teachers of the education department.
A month’s paternity leave would be granted to all expecting fathers who are Sikkim government employees, the Sikkim Chief Minister had added.
The state’s fertility rate had dropped from 2.5 in 1999 to just 1.1 in 2021 – putting the entire Siikkemese population of the state under the threat of getting out numbered and extinct.
The state government is already providing Rs 3 lakh to women interested in going for in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive a child.
While laying the foundation for upgradation of Chupcha Choling Duchi Gurung Gumpa the Sikkim Chief Minister also highlighted that the State Government has prioritized the health and education sector as a long-term development of the state and also mentioned that the establishment of different universities in the upcoming days will set a new benchmark for quality education in the entire state. He wants educated intellectual youth of our society who have diverse wisdom and foresight, and apply their intellect and forward-looking visions for awakening society and also applying their knowledge to shape and protect, social standards and values.
At the outset, the Chief Minister also visited Ram Mandir at Thekabong and Machong Gumpa wherein he took a blessing from the newly incarnated Pathing Rimpochee and also interacted with the committee members of the Gumpa.