Checking population pressure in India
Mittal, S.P.
Yojana 27(1-2): 15-6 56
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-0515 PMID: 12311991 Document Number: 353328
In India the need for controlling the population explosion is greater than ever before. This is because the 1981 census shows that the rate of population growth is too fast to be matched by the rate of economic development, meaning that whatever gains are made from development projects will be neutralized by the increased demand from the growing population. Against this background, increased awareness has arisen of the need to spare no efforts to contain population growth. In 1961 the target set was to reduce the birthrate to 25/1000 by 1973, but the birthrate was reduced only to 33/1000. The revised target is to reduce the birthrate to 21/1000 by the year 2000. To achieve the target it is necessary to cover at least 60% of the eligibile couples with contraceptive services by 2000 compared to the present level of 20% coverage of eligible couples. The question that arises is whether the present policies and programs are adequate for achieving the target. The people must be motivated, and the environment must be made conducive to greater acceptance of family planning. This cannot be accomplished by the government alone. If community leaders are involved, there is a greater chance of family planning acceptance. It was this realization that was responsible for the formation of the Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development with a view toward supplementing the efforts at the official level for the acceptance of the concept of the small family and providing the necessary services at the doorsteps of the people. The Association has been successful in creating an environment of political consensus in favor of family planning. Apart from education and motivational campaigns, there are incentives and disincentives. Incentives include monetary compensation to acceptors and motivators. Some opposition exists in relation to disincentives. The feeling exists that the line between compulsion and disincentives is very thin. The following are included among the program's incentives and disincentives: cash incentives of Rs. 1000 after 2 children for undergoing sterilization and RS. 250 after 3 children for undergoing sterilization; highest priority for allotment of commercial or housing plots or flats to couples who adopt sterilization; and a maternity leave of 120 days for the 1st child if followed by sterilization, 90 days for the 2nd child if followed by sterilization, and no leave thereafter.