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Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation, and Welfare) Bill, 2021

  • 12 Jul 2021

On World Population Day (11th July) the Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission released a draft of the Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation, and Welfare) Bill, 2021. It has invited suggestions on this Bill by 19 July 2021 from the public.

Need for such Bill

  • The draft of the population control bill says it is necessary to control and stabilise the population of the state for the promotion of sustainable development with more equitable distribution.

Aim

  • The Bill aims to revitalize efforts and provide for measures to control, stabilize and provide welfare to the population of the State by implementation and promotion of two-child norm and for matters connected therewith.

Regulation for those who fail to follow the Act (after implementation)

  • After the commencement of the Act, in contravention of two-child norm procreates more than two children shall be ineligible to the following:-
    • Contest elections to the local authority or any other body of the local self-government;
    • Apply for government jobs under the State Government;
    • Get promotion in government services;
    • Receive any kind of government subsidy.
    Also, the regulation has provisions for
    • Limit of ration card units up to four.
    • Debarring from the benefit of Government-sponsored welfare schemes.

Some other Features of the Draft Bill

  • Reward: A couple living below the poverty line, having only one child and undergoes voluntary sterilization operation upon himself or spouse shall be eligible for payment from the Government for a one-time lump-sum amount of rupees eighty thousand if the single child is a boy, and rupees one lakh if the single child is a girl.
  • Education: It shall be the duty of the government to introduce a compulsory subject relating to population control in all secondary schools.
  • Provision of Contraceptives: It shall be the duty of the government to ensure that contraceptives are available at reasonable rates at all sub-health centres in the State.
  • Insurance for Post-Sterilization Pregnancy: The State Government shall as soon as possible after the commencement of this Act take steps for group insurance, at Government expense, of all qualified allopathic surgeons carrying on sterilization operations on men or women and of other staff and of hospital authorities concerned to cover claims for compensation to be paid to a couple where the woman operated on or the wife of the man operated on becomes pregnant even after such operation.

The Bill on Public Servants

Public servants under the control of the State Government who adopt the two-child norm by undergoing voluntary sterilization operation upon himself or spouse shall be given the following benefits:

  • Increment: Two additional increments during the entire service;
  • Subsidy: Towards the purchase of plot or house site or built house from Housing Board development Authority, as may be prescribed;
  • Rebate: On charges for utilities such as water, electricity, water, house tax, as may be prescribed; [also available for the general public];
  • Leave: Maternity or as the case may be, paternity leave of 12 months, with full salary and allowances; [also available for the general public];
  • Health Care: Free health care facility and insurance coverage to the spouse.