India's family planning programme: a critical appraisal
Rajan, S.I.; Ravibabu, P.
Economic Journal of Nepal 13(3): 21-42
1990
Document Number: 519700
The concept of and need for family planning is relatively recent in historical terms. Since the 1930s, India has been aware of the adverse impact of population growth on employment and agriculture. India was the first country to introduce an official family planning programme in 1951 as an integral part of its socioeconomic development plan. The family planning approach and objectives in each of the seven five-year plans up to 1990 is discussed. Tables show the desired demographic goals for each plan; family planning expenditure during plan periods; targets and achievements in different methods of family planning in each year; analysis of expenditure; and analysis of achievement. There are also tables giving the breakdown by state of sterilizations and equivalent practices; and the cost-effectiveness of family welfare programmes. The goals set for net reproduction rate (NRR), and for proportion of couples protected by family planning methods, have not been reached. In order to achieve the long-term goal of NRR of 1 by the year 2000, 60% of couples need to be protected. However, there has been a recent revival of popular interest, and it is realized that the infant mortality rate must be lowered by the introduction of better sanitation and health education, before there will be an increased uptake in family planning.