Q.4 Describe various measures undertaken by Indian Government for controlling population growth? OR Q.

4 Discuss population policy of Indian Government post independence?  Introduction- : population control measures were implemented by the Government since the beginning of the planning era. In fact, India was a pioneer in population control. The population policy was launched by the government in 1952. After independence, a number of measures were implemented by the Government.  In the 50 s, the Government adopted clinical approach. Under this it encouraged research on demography and established a number of clinics throughout the country. Through the clinics, information and medical facilities were provided.  In the 60 s, the department of family planning was established under the ministry of health, family planning and urban development. The Government adopted an extension approach. Funds allotted for population control were increased. Different methods of population control were offered to the people under Cafeteria approach. During the period of 1966-69 the family planning programmed was made target oriented. The results were not to expected level.  In the 70 s, the family planning programmed aimed at bringing down the birth rate to 25 per thousand from 39 per thousand. In 70 s, the government continued the clinical approach with the extension services. During the fifth five-year plan period, the government adopted an integrated approach towards population control. Along with the birth control measures, other aspects like better sanitation, better nutrition, better health facilities for women and children were also given importance. The fifth plan made an allocation of Rs.497 cores for population control.  In 1976 s there was a shift in the policy of the government. In the earlier years, birth control was voluntary. All the state Governments were asked to pass legislations regarding compulsory sterilization. During this time, the age of marriage for girls was increased from 15 to 18 years and for boys from 18 to 21 years. In 1977 itself the coercive measures were withdrawn by government. Along with population control a number welfare measures were also started by the Government.

Q.5 Critically evaluate population policy of Indian Government post independence?  Population control measures have been implemented in India since independence. In fact, even in the pre-independence era measures were initiated. However, the results are not satisfactory.  The major defects in the approach of the Government are as follows: 1. The Government had given too much emphasis too birth control measures. No efforts have been taken to improve the standard of living of the people. If population has to be controlled efficiently a frontal attack has to be made on poverty particularly in rural areas. To do this, extra developmental efforts are required. Some southern states like Kerala & Tamil Nadu have successfully brought down birth rate mainly by emphasizing female education & health care. The example of Goa is another one, followed by other states. Unfortunately northern states are not giving due importance to education & health care. Hence serious imbalances exist between north & south. 2. Being a democratic country, coercive methods cannot be adopted in India. The experience in 1976 proved that population control measures couldn t be imposed from above. According to the critics, rapid growth & development is the only way to solve poverty & population growth. 3. By & large, the steps taken by Government have been ad-hoc. The programmers of the Government keep on changing. The measures are implemented in a piecemeal manner rather than in a comprehensive manner. 4. The funds allotted for the population control are inadequate & they are not used efficiently. 5. To control population effectively female education has to be emphasized. Special literacy campaigns are required for improving female literacy rate. So far, the measures taken by the Government to promote female literacy are not adequate. 6. Population control measures have achieved some success in the urban areas & among the educated people. In the rural areas, population control measures have not produced significant results. Convincing the poor people to have a small family norm is difficult task; however, measures have to be implemented more seriously in rural areas & among the poorer sections of the society. 7. Participation of voluntary organizations is important to make population control into a mass movement. The Government has not given much importance to this factor. The voluntary workers who are involved in population control like village based guides are paid very poorly. Even the meager amount does not reach them on time. 8. The incentives offered to the people for adopting population control are not attractive. 9. Lack of accountability on the part of the Government has also been responsible for the limited impact of population control measures. 10. The targets of the National population policy 2000 are very ambitious. Even after a decade, implementation of the various measures to achieve the targets has not been very effective. For instance, as per this policy, population of India should be 1013 million by 2001 & 1107 million by 2010. However in 2001 itself population exceeded by 14 million & by 2011 it increased by more than 110 million. It is an uphill task to achieve the targets of this policy.

Q.6 Write a note on new population policy 2000?  The National Population policy (NNP) was announced by N.T. Shanmugham, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare on February 15, 2000.The National Population Policy (NNP) 2000 consider population stabilization as an essential pre-requisite for sustainable human & social development with more equitable distribution. It recognizes the fact that population stabilization is as much a function of making reproductive health care affordable for all as other life quality improving services such as primary & secondary education, sanitation, drinking water, housing, transport, communication & empowering women & enhancing scope for their employment. The NNP 2000 outlines immediate medium term & long term objectives. The immediate Objective is to address the unmet needs of contraception, health infrastructure, health personnel & to provide integrated service delivery for basic reproductive & child health care. The medium term objective is to bring the total fertility rates to replacement level by 2010. The long-term objective is to achieve a stable population by 2045 at a level consistent with the requirement of sustainable economic growth, social development & environmental protection.  The new population policy aims at the following targets to achieve the objectives: 1. Reducing maternal mortality rate to below 100 per one-lakh live births. 2. Providing information & counseling services to all without any discrimination. 3. Reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per thousand. 4. Universal immunization of children against all preventable diseases to be achieved in the near future. 5. Delaying the age of marriage especially for girls beyond 20 years. 6. Prevention & control of all communicable diseases. 7. Creating awareness among the people about the benefits of a small family norm. 8. Integrating social welfare program along with family planning program is supposed to convert population control into people s movement. 9. Making school education upto the age of 14 free & compulsory & reducing school drop-out rates to below 20% for boys & girls. 10. Empowerment of women by offering more employment opportunities &health services.

Q.6 Write a note on new population policy 2000?  The National Population policy (NNP) was announced by N.T. Shanmugham, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare on February 15, 2000.The National Population Policy (NNP) 2000 consider population stabilisation as an essential pre-requisite for sustainable human & social development with more equitable distribution. It recognises the fact that population stabilisation is as much a function of making reproductive health care affordable for all as other life quality improving services such as primary & secondary education, sanitation, drinking water, housing, transport, communication & empowering women & enhancing scope for their employment. The NNP 2000 outlines immediate medium term & long term objectives. The immediate Objective is to address the unmet needs of contraception, health infrastructure, health personnel & to provide integrated service delivery for basic reproductive & child health care. The medium term objective is to bring the total fertility rates to replacement level by 2010. The long-term objective is to achieve a stable population by 2045 at a level consistent with the requirement of sustainable economic growth, social development & environmental protection.  The new population policy aims at the following targets to achieve the objectives: 11. Reducing maternal mortality rate to below 100 per one-lakh live births. 12. Providing information & counseling services to all without any discrimination. 13. Reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per thousand. 14. Universal immunization of children against all preventable diseases to be achieved in the near future. 15. Delaying the age of marriage especially for girls beyond 20 years. 16. Prevention & control of all communicable diseases. 17. Creating awareness among the people about the benefits of a small family norm. 18. Integrating social welfare program along with family planning program is supposed to convert population control into people s movement. 19. Making school education upto the age of 14 free & compulsory & reducing school drop-out rates to below 20% for boys & girls. 20. Empowerment of women by offering more employment opportunities &health services.