Population Control: Another Indian State Proposes Two-Child Policy

Unlike China, India does not have a national child policy. But two BJP-ruled states are moving towards a two-child policy.

After Assam, it’s the turn of Uttar Pradesh. The state’s Law Commission has come up with a similar proposal where a person having more than two children will be barred from contesting local body elections, applying for or getting promotion in government jobs, and receiving any kind of government subsidy.

The Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission (UPSLC) has said that the provisions are part of the draft titled ‘The Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilization and Welfare) Bill, 2021.’

“The State Law Commission, UP is working on control, stabilisation and welfare of the population of the state and has prepared a draft bill,” the UPSLC website states.

The public has been invited to give suggestions to improve the draft bill, with July 19 being the last date.

“Public servants who adopt the two-child norm will get two additional increments during the entire service, maternity or as the case may be, paternity leave of 12 months, with full salary and allowances and three per cent increase in the employer’s contribution fund under national pension scheme,” the draft bill states.

Maternity centres will be established at all primary health centres, which along with NGOs will distribute contraceptive pills, condoms, etc. Community health workers will spread awareness about family planning methods and ensure registration of pregnancies, deliveries, births and deaths across the state.

The draft bill also proposes that the government will introduce a compulsory subject relating to population control in all secondary schools.