Sansad TV: Population Control- Policy Imperatives | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh recently launched the Population Policy 2021-2030 for the state, which establishes specific objectives for population control.

Rationale behind the policy

• Based on the 'The World Population Prospects 2019' report by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' Population Division, India is projected to surpass China as the most populous country in the world by 2027.
• India's poor health indicators have resulted in a decline in human capital. In 2017, Angus Deaton highlighted that despite India's aspirations to be a global leader, over one-third of its children are still suffering from severe malnutrition and stunted growth.
• The World Bank has expressed concerns about India's future competitiveness in the economy, as 40% of its workforce has experienced stunted growth during childhood. Furthermore, child malnutrition leads to an annual loss of up to 4% of India's GDP and 8% of productivity.

The objectives of the new policy are as follows:

• Decrease the Total Fertility Rate from 2.7 to 2.1 by 2026 and further to 1.7 by 2030.
• Increase the Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate from 31.7 to 45 by 2026 and subsequently to 52 by 2030.
• Increase the utilization of male contraceptive methods from 10.8 to 15.1 by 2026 and further to 16.4 by 2030.
• Reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate from 197 to 150 to 98 and the Infant Mortality Rate from 43 to 32 to 22.
• Lower the Under 5 Infant Mortality Rate from 47 to 35 to 25.
• Increase life expectancy from 64.3 to 69 by 2030 and improve the child sex ratio (0-6 years) from 899 to 919 by 2030.

In order to achieve population stabilization, the policy draft also emphasizes the need to maintain a balanced population among different communities. Extensive awareness programs will be conducted in communities, cadres, and geographical areas with higher fertility rates.

Proposed Draft Bill for Population Control in Uttar Pradesh

• The Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission has formulated a draft bill aimed at population control, which promotes the implementation of a two-child norm.
• Once the law is enacted, individuals with more than two children will be ineligible for various benefits, including government-sponsored welfare schemes and the ability to run for elections in local authorities or self-government bodies. Additionally, ration card units will be limited to four individuals.
• Any individual violating this law will also be disqualified from applying for state government jobs, hindered from promotion in government services, and denied subsidies.

India's National Population Policy (NPP) 2000

• The primary objective of NPP 2000 is to address the unmet requirements for contraception, healthcare infrastructure, and healthcare personnel, while providing integrated service delivery for essential reproductive and child health care. 
• In the medium term, the aim is to achieve replacement-level Total Fertility Rate (TFR) by 2010 through robust implementation of inter-sectoral operational strategies. The long-term objective is to attain a stable population by 2045, aligning with the needs of sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental preservation.

Advantages of the new policy

• Maintaining a suitable time gap between the birth of two children is crucial to safeguard the health of both the mother and the child.
• As the economy is already strained, an increasing number of dependents places an additional fiscal burden on the state treasury.
• The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh highlights that a growing population can hinder development progress.
• Implementing population stabilization measures can aid India in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Way Forward

• Instead of adopting a coercive and top-down approach like China's two-child policy, which replaced the one-child policy in 2016, it is important to implement softer population control measures. The mistakes of the camp-based approach from the 1970s should not be repeated.
• Simply reaching fertility replacement levels is not sufficient, as population momentum will continue to drive population growth. Therefore, comprehensive measures must be taken to address and control this momentum.
• Greater emphasis should be placed on improving the quality of life for the existing population to ensure that the demographic dividend does not transform into a demographic disaster.
• Special attention should be given to population groups where fertility rates surpass the national average.
• Information Education Communication - Behavior Change Communication (IEC-BCC) should play a vital role in instigating long-lasting attitudinal changes. Providing incentives to both the targeted individuals and intermediaries such as ASHA workers can aid in achieving this objective.