New Delhi: A private members’ bill on population control presented in Lok Sabha added fuel to the debate over the rising population in India. The bill was presented in the lower house by BJP MP Ravi Kishan who represents the Gorakhpur constituency. Notably, the bill came just after the United Nations raised a concern that the population of India can surpass China, becoming the world’s most populous country.
What does Population Control Bill say?
The Population Control Bill talks about disincentivising couples from giving birth to more than two children. It recommends the government stop the subsidies on various facilities and goods if any couple has more than two children. Moreover, it says the government should not give government jobs to couples with more than two children.
It is reported that nearly three dozen times the two-child policy has been tabled in Parliament but all steps to pass out the bills go in vain.
Constitutional challenges against the bill
Passing any bill on the two-child policy is not an easy attempt as Article 22 of the 1969 Declaration on Social Progress and Development says a couple has the right to decide the number of children they will have.
The next challenge against the government is Article 16 which talks about equal opportunity in matters of public employment.
There is another challenge against the bill is that no private members’ bill had been passed by Parliament since 1970. Without the government’s support, there is a very less chance that the bill become law. If a member of parliament other than a minister presents the bill, it is called a private member’s bill.
State that taken action on Population Control Bill?
In 2017, the Assam government passed the ‘Population and Women’s Empowerment Policy of Assam’. The policy clearly says no candidates can get a government job if has two children. Moreover, the existing government employees were directed to follow the two-child family norm.
Besides, the Uttar Pradesh government is also planning to bring a law to implement the tw0 child policy norm. The draft bill in this regard is still under consideration.
