Maharashtra decides to deal with the population problem

MUMBAI, MARCH 26: The not-so-slow and steady rise in the numbers populating Maharashtra has prompted the State Government into framing a p...

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MUMBAI, MARCH 26: The not-so-slow and steady rise in the numbers populating Maharashtra has prompted the State Government into framing a population policy independent of the national policy already in place. The State Public Health Department is drawing up a blueprint that envisages control of birth rate through monetary incentives and implementation of the two-child norm among sections of government employees.

With a population of nine crore, Maharashtra is ranked as the fifth most populous state in the country. It has a birth rate of 22.3 births per second. The government hopes to scale down that figure to 2.1 by the year 2004. The process of giving this proposal the status of a law has already begun.

To achieve its target, the two-child norm will be compulsorily enforced on applicants seeking government jobs. Secondly, it will be ensured that only those couples who follow the two-child norm can avail of subsidies in various state government schemes. It will also be a criterion for granting medical reimbursement or housing and vehicle loans to government employees. Most importantly, the confidential records of senior and junior public servants (from Divisional Commissioner, Collector to Tehsildar) will mention if he or she has conducted a family planning operation after having two children.

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The two-child norm will also apply while deciding the eligibility of candidates contesting elections to the Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, municipal bodies, co-operative institutions and government-appointed committees. The State will implement a Jagrook Gram Panchayat scheme whereby the gram panchayat which fulfills the desired population target will be given incentives. It will also conduct special family welfare workshops targeting institutions like sugar co-operatives, district central banks, milk-producing unions, textile mills, industrial establishments, private medical centres, the Indian Medical Association, Rotary and Lions Clubs and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Birth control apart, the government also hopes to curtail the death rate among newborns, infants and mothers. A public health plan that underlines the importance of a `small and healthy family’ is also in the pipeline.

The policy will also try to improve the lives of female children of couples below the poverty line. The State Government will invest Rs 10,000 in the name of the girl child/children of those couples (provided they do not have a son) who undergo a family planning operation. This amount will be invested in fixed deposits for 18 years or until the unmarried girl/girls attains the age of 20.

The government is also considering setting up a Population Committee to be chaired by the Chief Minister. The high-powered committee will include the Deputy Chief Minister and the Health Minister. Another committee at the level of the Chief Secretary will also be set up.

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Wives of political leaders will also be roped in to `give the necessary boost to the family planning measures’. A special women’s cell to be chaired by the wife of the CM will be set up. The district committees of this cell will be headed by wives of the respective guardian ministers.