UP’s Two-Child Policy

• Vaid's ICS, Lucknow
• 10, Nov 2021

After reviewing over 8,000 suggestions from the public, the Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission has submitted a report and draft Bill of a new population control law (The Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation and Welfare) Bill, 2021) proposing two-child policy to the State government.

• Special facilities to all families (irrespective of the BPL category) who have only one child and undertake voluntary sterilisation.
• A person who has more than two children after the law comes into force would be debarred from several benefits such as welfare schemes.
• On World Population Day (11th July), the Uttar Pradesh government announced a new population policy for 2021-2030.
• The new policy has provisions to give incentives to those who help in population control.

The new policy aims at:

• Decreasing the total fertility rate from 2.7 to 2.1 by 2026 and 1.7 by 2030.
• Increase modern contraceptive prevalence rate from 31.7% to 45% by 2026 and 52% by 2030.
• Increase male methods of contraception use from 10.8% to 15.1% by 2026 and 16.4% by 2030.
• Decrease maternal mortality rate from 197 to 150 to 98, and infant mortality rate from 43 to 32 to 22, and under 5 infant mortality rate from 47 to 35 to 25.
• To increase the accessibility of contraceptive measures issued under the Family Planning Programme and provide a proper system for safe abortion.
• To reduce the newborns’ and maternal mortality rate.
• To provide for care of the elderly, and better management of education, health, and nutrition of adolescents between 11 to 19 years.
• The provision of this legislation shall apply to a married couple where the boy is not less than 21 years of age and the girl is not less than 18.
• The policy will be voluntary – it will not be enforced upon anyone.