India's draft policy criticized
Population headliners 1994(233): 2
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0252-3639 PMID: 12288040 Document Number: 285977
Several women's groups in India have criticized the population policy which was finalized in draft form in May 1994. Criticism was directed at the wide variety of contraceptives to be offered through family planning services. The concern was that methods such as Depo-Provera, which some women's groups considered to be unsafe, would be made available. Women would be compelled to use unsafe contraceptives. Concern was also directed to the policy for "coercive disincentives" to slow population growth. The draft policy called for a reduced role of national government in implementation of policy. Family planning targets would be set by village councils who would understand local conditions better than national bureaucracies. An independent national population and social development council would oversee policy implementation. There was a proposal to disqualify legislators that have more than two children. The Central Ministry of Health and Welfare will be considering the draft proposal over a long period. There are 4 states with over 40% of India's population that have high levels of female illiteracy and child mortality and fertility. The current population is 913.7 million with a growth rate of 1.9%. Population is expected to reach 1.19 billion in 2010, which would make India the most populous country in the world.