Gangtok, April 15 : Chief Minister, PS Tamang, has appealed to the public to adopt IVF as the fertility rate has been decreasing in the State. As per the records it has been facing a downward trend since 1998. Chief Minister, PS Tamang, has appealed to the public to adopt IVF as it is the solution to the problem. ”Our population has been decreasing at an alarming rate. And the fertility rate has come down. As per National Survey, in 1998 -99 the fertility rate was2.5pc, while in 2005-6 it was 2.1 pc, in 2015-16 it was 1.2pc and in 2019-20 it has come down to1.1pc. They have a treatment for it, in Siliguri West Bengal. In Vitro Fertilization(IVF) is the way out,’ said the CM PS Tamang. According to CM, the reasons for the downwards trend in the fertility rate and population are not known. But remaining unmarried, late marriage, poor financial condition, husband and wife both advancing their career, could be some obvious causes. The government is going to support those who wish to have children. Vatsalya, implying Mother’s love for the Child’s new scheme has been implemented. The Government employees adopting the scheme will be entitled to reimbursement to the tune of Rs 3 lakh. The non–working women would be granted Rs 3 lakh, but installments of Rs 1 lakh each annually, out of CM’s Swasthya Suvidha’s scheme. The employees will be paid via Health Department, monitoring the programme. Earlier, they were paid 1 additional increment, for Family Planning, but now they will get reimbursement on availing of VIF facility. The VIF is anticipated to increase our Population. We are working towards increasing Happiness Index. NN ARN