The Andhra Pradesh government has proposed a Rs 25,000 incentive for couples having a third child to address declining birth rates. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the draft population management policy in the state Assembly, suggesting measures to improve the Total Fertility Rate (TFR). Additionally, the government plans to provide Rs 1,000 per month as nutrition assistance and free education up to 18 years for the third child.
To encourage more childbirths, the government intends to introduce 12 months of maternal leave and two months of paternal leave. The Chief Minister expressed concern over the state’s TFR of 1.5 and aims to raise it to 2.1 to maintain demographic balance. He emphasized the importance of the ‘Population Management’ policy as a tool to increase the population through financial incentives for childbirth.
The policy document will be available online for public access, with discussions planned at the constituency level. The finalized policy is set to be implemented from April 1, with a review scheduled after a year to assess its impact. The Chief Minister highlighted the economic risks associated with a declining TFR, pointing out potential workforce shortages and aging population challenges similar to other countries.
The draft policy emphasizes the need for population growth in line with the state’s development goals. It focuses on ‘population care’ over traditional family planning methods and aims to support individuals at every stage of life. The government plans to introduce a five-stage lifecycle system under the population management policy, including provisions for maternal health, well-being, skills development, and longevity.
