Amidst the laws being made for population control in BJP-ruled states like Assam and Uttar Pradesh, the big question is whether the central government will implement such a policy across the country? The Modi government has answered in Parliament. In response to a question asked by a BJP MP in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar on Friday said that no such proposal is under consideration.
Replying ‘no’ to BJP MP Uday Pratap’s question, the minister said, “International experience shows that any coercion or decree for a certain number of children has adverse consequences. This leads to demographic distortions, giving preference to sons, abortions, abandonment of daughters, even female feticide.” In a written reply, he said that ultimately, it upsets the balance of the sex ratio.
This statement of Pawar, who was recently made a minister in the Modi government, assumes significance as there is a debate in Assam and Uttar Pradesh over the new population policy. Preparations are underway to deprive parents of more than two children in both the BJP-ruled states. Pawar also said that many states and union territories like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh have managed to control the population without strictness.
Birth rate 2.1 in 28 state
The Union government on Friday said that 28 states and union territories of the country have achieved the replacement level birth rate of 2.1. This information was given by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. He also said that the population of India is estimated to be 146.9 crores by 2027.
Referring to the steps taken by the government for population control, Mandaviya said, “The birth rate was 2.7 in the year 2005-06 which has come down to 2.2 in 2015-16. 28 out of 36 states/UTs.” has achieved a birth rate of 2.1 or less. The minister said that the birth rate in adolescence has come down from 16 percent to 8 percent.
