Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati
Amaravati, Mar 6: N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced a new population management policy in the state assembly, proposing financial incentives to encourage childbirth in Andhra Pradesh.
Under the proposed policy, families having a second or third child will receive Rs 25,000 at the time of delivery. The scheme is part of the state government’s efforts to address declining birth rates and ensure demographic balance.
Naidu said about 58 per cent of families in the state currently have only one child, while around 2.17 lakh families have two children and nearly 62 lakh families have three or more children. He added that about three lakh families have only one child instead of two, while another three lakh families have more than two children.
Highlighting demographic trends, the chief minister noted that the state’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined sharply from 3.0 in 1993 to 1.5 at present. The ideal TFR required to maintain demographic balance is 2.1.
Naidu warned that a continued decline in fertility could lead to workforce shortages and long-term economic challenges, similar to those experienced by countries such as Japan, South Korea and Italy.
The government plans to roll out the population management policy from April 1. Apart from the Rs 25,000 incentive for the birth of a second or third child, the policy proposes a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 for the third child for five years and free education up to 18 years.
Additional measures include 12 months of parental leave and two months of paternal leave, along with special leave provisions for couples having a third child. The government will also establish child care centres for every 50 children and introduce facilities such as working women’s hostels, pink toilets and She Cabs for women’s safety.
The state also plans to set up Matrutva centres of excellence to provide IVF services and intends to discourage unnecessary caesarean deliveries. Special clinics will be organised for two weeks in 175 primary health centres, while child care teachers will receive specialised training under the programme.
Naidu further stressed the need to increase women’s participation in the workforce from the current 31 per cent to 59 per cent to achieve a 15 per cent Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate.
As part of the initiative, a working women’s hostel will be constructed in Visakhapatnam at an estimated cost of Rs 172 crore.
Inviting public discussion on the draft policy, Naidu said the government remains committed to ensuring population stability and long-term economic growth in the state.