New Population Policy of the Government of Uttar Pradesh 2021-2030
On World Population Day (11 July) by the Government of Uttar Pradesh has been announced a ‘New Population Policy’ for the period 2021-2030.
In this new policy, a provision has been made to provide incentives for those who contribute to population control.
Objective of the new policy
- The objective of this policy is to bring the birth rate to 1 per thousand by 2026 and to 1.7 per thousand by 2030.
- The modern contraceptive prevalence rate is to be increased from 7 per cent at present to 45 per cent by 2026 and 52 per cent by 2030.
- The contraceptive methods used by men are to increase from 8 percent at present to 15.1 percent by 2026 and to 16.4 percent by 2030.
- To reduce maternal mortality rate from 197 to 150 to 98 and infant mortality rate from 43 to 32 to 22 and infant mortality rate under 5 years of age from 47 to 35 to
- The key points of this policy include comprehensive provision for care of the elderly, education for adolescents in the age group of 11 to 19 years, better management of health and nutrition and the formation of health clubs in schools.
Need for population policy
- Population explosion is seen as a major cause of poverty in India. The population of India is estimated to exceed that of China in less than a decade.
- It should be noted that more population puts more pressure on the available resources. It is necessary to implement these measures without any delay in order to make available to all citizens the basic necessities of human life including cheap and nutritious food, safe water, suitable housing, quality education, opportunities for economic and livelihood, electricity for domestic consumption and safe life.
Initiatives taken for population control
- The long-term objective of the National Population Policy 2000 is to achieve stable population status by the year
- This situation will be consistent with the needs of sustainable economic development, social development and environmental protection.
- Mission Parivar Vikas-2017 has been launched to increase access to contraceptives and family planning services.
Issues Concerns Related to Population Policy
Negative impact in the long run: China has implemented strict population control measures on its citizens, which has had a negative impact on the country in the long run.
Stability in overall population growth: The total fertility rate (TER) currently stands at 2.2 children, which will soon reach the replacement level (2.1).
- Population policies appear to be infringing on the reproductive rights of women and girls. According to experts, caution is advised against any such population policy that jeopardizes the health and well-being of women.
- With such a policy, the burden of contraception and family planning falls disproportionately on women. Also, with the implementation of this policy, there is a possibility of further increase in female sterilization.
- Due to the mentality of giving preference to the birth of a son in India, stringent population control measures are likely to increase practices like unsafe abortion and feticide. Such examples have been seen in some states in the past.
Major Provisions of New Population Policy of Uttar Pradesh:
- To make efforts to increase access to contraceptive measures issued under the family planning program and to provide an appropriate system for safe abortion.
- Reducing neonatal mortality and maternal mortality. To provide promotions, concessions in housing schemes and other facilities to the employees complying with the population control norms.
- To better manage the care of the elderly and the education, health and nutrition of adolescents aged 11 to 19 The government will also introduce safe abortion facilities for women.
Source – The Hindu
