CHAPTER 3 AN ESTIMATE OF THE POPULATION POLICY OF INDIA

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1 CHAPTER 3 AN ESTIMATE OF THE POPULATION POLICY OF INDIA This chapter makes an attempt to estimate the previous population policies of India. It is necessary to study the demographic characteristics of this country, before going into the analysis of the policies on population. Therefore, in this chapter an attempt has been made to study the demographic changes in our country at different periods of time and the actions taken by the government in this regard. The study starts from the Pre Independence period and proceeds towards the sustained efforts that were being brought into practice from time to time, to lead our country towards growth and development. India has the distinction of being the first country in the world to launch a national programme, emphasizing family planning to the extent necessary for The pre-independence Period The British rulers of the country were not interested in formulating any population policy for India, nor they were in favour of the birth control movement. The reasons for this being, (1) In their own homeland the birth control issue was itself controversial and (2) The general policy of British was to keep away from any measures which would be considered by the Indians as an intrusion on their own traditions, customs, values and beliefs. A section of the intellectual elites among the Indians showed some concern about the population issue during the period between the two world wars, despite the 34

2 fact that the pre- occupation of the general population was primarily with the independence movement. At this point, the cause of concern was the density of population and not the rate of growth, for high rates of mortality and fertility did not result in alarmingly high growth rates. Census 1931 indicated that the intercensal increase was much higher than that during the earlier decade; yet there was confusion regarding whether or not India was over populated. The Neo- Multhusians were of the opinion that a smaller population would mean better living conditions for the masses. Following Multhus, they argued that any further gains in the economic condition of the country would be wiped out if the population continued to grow rapidly. They advocated the need for a population policy to spread the practice of birth control among the people. Year Table 3.1: Population growth in India Population (crores) increase (crores) during the decade Percentage increase during the decade Source: census of India. GOI. 35

3 Enunciation of Family Planning: ( ) Several important developments took place between 1916 and the attainment of independence in found the dawn of Family Planning and Pyare Kishen Wattal published his book, The Population Problem in India, in which he advocated family planning. In 1925, the first birth control centre was opened in by Raghunath Dhondo Kave in Bombay and this was dismissed by of his orthodox employers. On June 11, 1930, the government of Mysore, a progressive native state, opened the first government birth control clinic in the world. In 1931, the senate of the Madras University accepted the proposal to impart instruction in methods of conception control. The following year the Government of Madras agreed to open Lucknow recommended that men and women should be instructed in methods of birth control in recognized clinics. In 1935, the Indian National Congress set up a National planning Committee. The committee expressed concern inter alia, over the size of the Indian population which was a basic issue in national economic planning. The committee recommended in the interest of the social economy, family happiness, and national planning, family planning and limitation of children are essential. On December 1, 1935, the society for the study and promotion of Family Hygiene was founded with Lady Cowsji Jahangir as its first President, training courses in birth control were conducted by Dr. A.P. Pillai, a vigorous advocate of - and the Matru Seva Sangh in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, established birth control clinics. In the midst of all this support for population control and family planning, a different note was sounded by the Famine Enquiry Commission of 1943, called the Woodhead 36

4 with the objective of encouraging the practice of birth control among the mass of the population is impracticable. A fall in birth rate will tend to follow rather than precede economic Once again, support for birth control was evident when the Health Survey and Development Committee set up by the government of India in 1945, under the Chairmanship of Sir Joseph Bhore, recommended that birth control service should be provided for the promotion of the health of mothers and children. It is clear that, prior to independence, the controversial issue of birth control concerned only a handful of intellectuals while the actual practice of birth control was restricted to the westernized minority in the cities. There was pressure from the intellectuals that Government formulate a policy for dissemination of information on birth control and for encouraging its practice. Milestones in the Evolution of the population policy in independent India : The Bohare Committee Report 1946, is a Milestone in the evolution of Family Planning policy in Independent India. India was consistent in advocating a population control policy right from the first five year plan ( ). Yet after 50 years, the goal of population stabilization is still eluding us. In 1952, India was the first country in the world to launch a National Programme, emphasizing family planning to the extent necessary for reducing birth l consistent with the requirement of accompanied by a similar drop in birth rates. In 1966, several important developments concerning the family planning programme took place. A full fledged Department of Family planning was established within the Ministry of Health, 37

5 which was designated as the ministry of Health and Family Planning and a Minister of cabinet rank was placed in its charge. A cabinet committee of Family Planning, initially headed by the Prime Minister and later by the Finance Minister, was constituted at the central level. In 1976, during emergency, Government of ZIndia, announced National population Policy. Points highlighted in this were as follows. (i) The Government proposed legislation to raise the age of marriage to 18 for girls and 21 for boys; (ii) The Government would take special measures to raise the level of female education in the states; (iii) As the acceptance of Family Planning by the poorer sections of society was significantly related to the use of monetary compensation as from May 1, 1976 to Rs. 150 for sterilization (by men or women) if performed with 2 children, Rs. 100 if performed with three living children and Rs. 70 if performed with four or more children. Taking advantage of the emergency conditions in the country, a massive drive for compulsory sterilization was undertaken. During a total of 8.2 million sterilizations were carried out as against the target of 4.3 million sterilizations. The speeding up of the compulsory sterilization programme was carried out more through coercive measures than the provision of incentives. The general public felt that pressure and compulsion was used to force sterilization. In order to meet the targets, the government officials misused the power and rounded up people, for mass vasectomy camps. This resulted in a distortion of programme in various ways. 38

6 (a) The target-oriented approach prompted the family planning staff to work in an indiscriminate manner and high proportion of people sterilized did not belong to the reproductive age group. (b) The family planning programme was speeded up at the cost of general health services; consequently provision of normal health service suffered in hospitals. The Janata Government which came to power in March 1977, showed utter lack of appreciation of the seriousness of the population problem. The Family Panning Programme was renamed as the Family Welfare Programme The Policy statement of the Janata Government in June 1977 spoke of only voluntary methods to solve the population problem and the need to integrate family planning services with those for health, maternity, child care and nutrition. The Bureaucracy too softpedaled the implementation. There was a major set back to the sterilization programme. The Policy statements of both 1976 and 1977 were laid on the Table of the house of the parliament, but never discussed or adopted. The National Health Policy the health policy, parliament emphasized the need for a separate National Population policy. The National Health Policy 1983 stated that replacement levels of total fertility rate (TFR) should be achieved by In 1991, the National Development Council appointed a Committee on population with Sri. Karunakaran as Chairman. The Karunakaran report ( Report of the National Development Council (NDC) Committee on Population) endorsed by 39

7 long term holistic view of development, population growth and environment prot and a monitoring mechanism with short, medium and long term perspectives and of 1976 and 1977 were placed on the table of parliament, however parliament never really discussed or adopted them. Specifically, it was recommended that a National Policy of Population should be formulated by the government and adopted by parliament. In 1993 an Expert Group headed by Dr. M.S Swaminathan was asked to prepare a draft of national population policy that would be discussed by the cabinet and then by the parliament. In 1994 the Expert Group submitted its Report. The report was circulated among members of parliament and comments requested form central and state agencies. It was anticipated that a National Population policy approved by the National Development Council and the parliament would help produce a broad political consensus. In 1997, on the eve of the 50th Prime Minister Mr. I.K. Gujral promised to announce a National Population policy in near future. During the same year in November Cabinet approved the Draft National Population policy with the direction that this be placed before parliament. However, this document could not placed in either House of Parliament as the respective houses stood adjourned followed by dissolution of the Lok Sahba. Another round of consultations was held during 1998, and another draft National population Policy was finalized and placed before the cabinet in March Cabinet appointed a Group of Ministers (headed by Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission) to examine the draft policy. The GOM met several times and deliberated over the nuances of the population policy. In order to finalize a view 40

8 about the inclusion or exclusion of incentives and disincentives, the Group of Ministers invited a cross section of expects from among academia, public health professional, demographers, social scientists, and women representatives. The GOM finalized a draft population policy and placed the same before cabinet. This was discussed in cabinet on 19 November Several suggestions were made during the deliberations. On that basis, a fresh drafts was submitted to cabinet. It was long before procuring our Independence even that several discussion benches saw the onset of population policy. Much before Independence; in the year 1938 only a Sub Committee on population was set up by the National Planning Committee appointed by the Interim Government. The National Planning Committee passed a resolution in 1940 that stated the need for the state to adopt family planning and welfare policies in order to bring about a harmonious order of social economy. The resolution also stressed the need of limitation of children. April, 1951 recorded further enhancements in this policy formulation as the First Five Year Plan labeled for an overt population policy and adjudged family planning as a pragmatic and essential step towards improvement in health of mothers and children. It was because in the plan, family planning was treated as a part of the health program and received a 100% funding from the centre government. And with each passing year, the amount of these funds has increased. The success of this family planning agenda was so dear to the heart of the government that even a separate department coined as Department of Family Planning was carved out in the Ministry of Health in the year This was done with an objective to reinforce the population control program. 41

9 This National Population Policy was further modified and re announced in In this new policy, what was reinforced was education and health. The latter component of the reformulated policy included the general as well as maternal and child health both. A voluntary family planning was also introduced here on. This also saw the change of the phrase from Family Planning to Family Welfare program that is maintained till date. 42

10 3.4 Decadel Growno Rate - India 43

11 3.5 Religionwise Distribution of population - India 12.48% 5.84% 21.01% 11.77% 2.32% 15.26% 33.32% Muslims Chris ans Hindus Atheists Non Religious Other Religions Buddhist Religious Population in India - India is home to many famous religions and cultures in the world. Various religions like Hinduism apart from Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism started in India. With 80% of India's population, Hinduism is the most dominant religions in India. Islam is the second most dominant religion in the country with 13% Muslim population. Sikhs and Christians are also present in the country but in a very small number. Hindu religion is present in almost every nook and corner of the country. Sikh community has a stronghold in the state of Punjab with more than 60% of Sikh population. Despite of all these, the people of India celebrates every festival with equal devotion. In Mumbai Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated both by Hindus and Muslims. The annual Kumbh Mela witnesses million of Hindus gathering from around the world. People of India present a unique way of life by celebrating each festival and holiday with great religious dedication. 44

12 3.2 Religious Population in India According to 2001 Population Census Religion Population Population (%) Hindus 827,578, Muslims 138,188, Christians 24,080, Sikhs 19,215, Buddhists 7,955, Jains 4,225, Other Religions & Persuasions 6,639, Religion not Stated 727, Total 1,028,610,328 There are no religious discrepancies in India. 45

13 Table 3.1 Statewide Population on the basis of religion Andhra Pradesh Statewise Population on the basis of Religion. State Population Hindus Muslim Christians Buddhist Jains Sikhs Others 66,508,008 59,281,950 5,923,954 1,216,384 22,153 26,564 21,910 2,564 Arunachal 864, ,212 11,922 89, , , ,118 Assam 22,414,322 15,047,293 6,373, ,367 64,008 20,645 16, ,230 Bihar 86,374,465 71,193,417 12,787, ,717 3,518 23,049 78,212 1,443,258 Goa 1,169, ,621 61, , , Gujarat 41,309,582 6,964,228 3,606, ,753 11, ,331 33,044 4,213 Haryana 16,463,648 14,686, ,775 15,699 2,058 35, , Himachal Pradesh Jammu Kashmir & 5,170,877 4,958,560 89,134 4,435 64,081 1,206 52, ,718,700* Karnataka 44,977,201 38,432,027 5,234, ,478 73, ,114 10,101 6,325 Kerala 9,098,518 16,668,587 6,788,364 5,621, ,641 2,224 3,275 Madhya Pradesh 66,181,170 61,412,898 3,282, , , , ,111 62,457 Maharashtra 78,937,187 64,033,213 7,628, ,030 5,040, , ,184 99,768 Manipur 1,837,149 1,059, , , ,337 1,301 4,066 Meghalaya 1,774, ,306 61,462 1,146,092 2, , ,466 Mizoram 689,756 34,788 4, ,342 54, ,859 Nagaland 1,209, ,473 20,642 1,057, , ,870 Orissa 31,659,736 29,917, , ,220 9,153 6,302 17, ,798 Punjab 20,281,969 6,989, , ,163 24,930 20,763 12,767,69 7 Rajasthan 44,005,990 39,201,099 3,525,339 47,989 4, , ,174 1,191 Sikkim 406, ,881 3,849 13, , Tamil Nadu 55,858,946 49,532,052 3,052,717 3,179,410 2,128 66,900 5,449 2,620 Tripura 2,757,205 2,384, ,495 46, , Uttar Pradesh 139,112, ,712,829 24,109, , , , ,775 8,392 West Bengal 68,077,965 50,866,624 16,075, , ,578 34,355 55, ,403 Andaman- Nicobar 241,453 Chandigarh 642,015 Dadra-Nagar Haveli Daman Diu & 138, ,586 Delhi 9,420,614 L. Dweep 51,707 Pondicherry 807,785 Source: Census of India

14 Population of India and China Although, India and China are the most talked about countries, when it comes to problems arising from the increasing population, many believe it is actually a blessing in disguise. With more than 50% population below the age of 25 and about 65% below 35, the average age of an Indian after 10 years is likely to be 29 years, whereas the average age of a Chinese and Japanese, will be 37 and 48 respectively. In addition, India's dependency ratio by 2030 is expected to be just over 0.4. According to estimated figures, the Population of India will be largest in the World in year On the other hand, Population of China will witness a decline in their growth after So Population explosion will somehow benefit in Table 3.3 Population of India in 2012 Population of China in 2012 Population of India in 2008 Population of China in ,220,200,000 (1.22 billion) 1,360,000,600 (1.36 billion) 1,147,995,904 (1.14 billion) 1,330,044,605 (1.3 billion) In 1950 India's Population Population of China 350 million 563 million In 2040 Population of India will be Population of China will be 1.52 billion 1.45 billion Proportion to World's Population India represents almost 17.31% of the world's Population China represents a full 20% of the world's population 47

15 National Population Policy of India infrastructure, Technological advancement, socio-economic development and Human development. Human development is the most important for the proper utilization of the resources, therefore India has passed the Indian National Policy in the year The announcement of the National Population Policy 2000 by the NDA government in February 2000 and setting up of a National Population Commission, under the strong and promising leadership of then Prime Minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee and comprising eminent persons from all walks of life on May 11, 2000 reflected the deep commitment of the government to population stabilization programme. Background of the Policy In 1952, India was the first country in the world to launch a National The Policy for national population was first proposed in Instead the national Health policy was started. area. If the current growth rate of population continued (190 million people and the growth rate is 16.16%) it is expected that India will very soon over take China in The huge population puts a large strain on the natural resources and environment. March 1991 March 2001 March 2011 March

16 The given table shows that population of India increases progressively. Further, this progression was first explained by Prof.Malthus in his Malthusian theory of Population. According to him, agricultural produce increases in arithmetic progression and growth of human population takes geometric progression. This phenomenon leads to unequal distribution of food grains and resources. Stabilising population is an essential requirement for promoting sustainable development with more equitable distribution. Table 3.6 Anticipated growth in population (million) Year If current trend continues If TFR 2.1 is achieved by 2010 Total population Increase in population Total population Increasing population Source: Census of India

17 Objectives of National Population Policy The National Population Policy, 2000 (NPP 2000) affirms the commitments of our government towards voluntary and informed choice and consent of citizens, while availing of reproductive health care services and continuation of the target. Free approach in administrating Family planning services. It is based on addressing the various issues at the same time like child survival, maternal health and contraception. Through this : In 1976, during emergency govt. announced National population Policy. (i) The Government proposed legislation to raise the age of marriage to 18 for girls and 21 for boys; (ii) The Government would take special measures to raise the level of female education in the states; (iii) As the acceptance of Family Planning by the poorer sections of society was significantly related to the use of monetary compensation as from May 1, 1976 to Rs. 150 for sterilization (by men or women) if performed with 2 children, Rs. 100 if performed with three living children and Rs. 70 if performed with four or more children. Objectives and goals to be achieved by In pursuance of these objectives, the following National Socio-Demographic Goals to be achieved in each case by 2010 are formulated: 50

18 1. To address the unmet needs for basic reproductive and child health services, supplies and infrastructure. 2. To make School Education upto the age of 14 free and compulsory, and reduce drop outs at primary and secondary School levels to below 20 percent for both boys and girls. 3. Reduce infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births. Infant Mortality Rate : the number of children born 1 live per 1000 live births. 4. Reduce maternal mortality rate to below 100 per 100,000 live births 5. Achieve universal immunization of children against all vaccine preventable diseases. 6. Promote delayed marriage for girls, not earlier then age 18 and preferably after 20 years of age. 7. Achieve 80 percent institutional deliveries and 100 percent deliveries by trained persons. 8. Achieve universal access to information/counselling and services for fertility regulation and contraception with a wide basket of choices. 9. Achieve 100 percent registration of births, deaths, marriage and pregnancy. 10. Contain the spread of Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and promote greater integration between the management of reproductive tract infection (RTI) and sexually transmitted infections (ST) and the National AIDS Control Organization. 11. Prevent and control communicable diseases. 12. Integrate Indian system of Medicine (ISM) in the provision of reproductive and child health services, and in reaching out to households. 51

19 13. Promote vigorously the small family norm to achieve replacement levels of TFR. 14. Bring about convergence in implementation of related social sector programmes so that family welfare becomes a people centred programme. In order to strengthen the Programmes of National Population Policy and to achieve the above mentioned national socio economic goals for 2010, 12 strategic are as follows: 1. Decentralized planning and programme implementation, 2. Convergence of service delivery at Village level, 3. Empowering women for improved Health and Nutrition, 4. Child health and survival, 5. meeting the unmet needs for & family welfare, services 6. reaching out to the under served population groups such as urban slum dwellers, tribal communities hill areas population, displaced and migrant population; adolescents; 7. making use of diverse health care providers 8. collaboration with private sector and NGOs, 9. main streaming of Indian systems of medicine and Homeopathy, 10. promotion of research on contraceptive technology and reproductive and child health, 11. Providing for older persons above 60 years, 12. Informations, education and communications. 52

20 The population of India in 2001 has almost tripled since The growth rate of population peaked at 2.24 percent per annum in the decade of the seventies and has been gradually declining thereafter, though in absolute numbers population continues to grow at an alarming rate. The rate of growth has been less than 2 percent per annum in the period Reasons for a high Population growth : a) The large family size many children in a family b) Lack of awareness among people about the hazards of a large population c) High fertility rate and hot climate which helps increase in fertility d) Early age of marriage, especially of girls. e) Low death rate and high birth rate. f) Lack of proper awareness of contraception and other family Planning measures 53

21 Strategic themes and measures to control the present growth rate. To achieve the above mentioned national socio economic goals for 2010, Decentralized planning and programme implementation: The 73 rd and 74 th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, made Health, family, welfare and education a responsibility of village Panchayats. 2. Better Health centres providing adequate Service for the poor and reaching people at the village level. Below District levels, current health infrastructure includes 2,5000 Primary Health centres(each covering a population of 30,000)and 1.36 lakhs subcentres (each covering a population of 5000 in the plains and 3000 in hilly regions. 3. Empowering women for improved Health and Nutrition a) Women should be provided adequate pre natal and post natal care (Before and after birth of child). Proper diet and nutrition should be made available for the mothers. Care should be taken to monitor that Children receive proper care irresepective of gender bias (Male/Female). Traditionally, the male child received better nutrition and health care. b) The extent of maternal mortality is an indicator of disparity and inequality in access to appropriate Health care and nutrition facilities during pregnancy and child birth, and is crucial factor contributing to high maternal mortality. 54

22 c) The voluntary and non-government Sector [NGO] and the Private Corporate sector should actively collaborate with the community and Government through specific Commitments in the areas of basic reproductive and child health care, basic education and in securing high levels of participation in the paid work force for women. 4. Child Health and Survival High Mortality among infants and children below 5 years occurs due to inadequate care, asphyxia during birth, premature birth, low birth weight, acute respiratory infections, diarriohea, vaccine preventive diseases, malnutrition and deficiencies of nutrients including Vitamin A. Child survival interventions i.e. Universal Immunisation, Control of childhood diarroheas with oral dehydration therapies, management of acute respiratory infections, and massive doses of Vitamin A and food supplement have all helped to reduce infant and child mortality and morbidity. With intensified efforts, the eradication of polio is within reach. 5. Meeting the unmet needs for Family Welfare Services: In both rural and urban areas, there continues the unmet needs for contraceptives, supplies and equipment for integrated Service delivery, mobility of Health Care Providers and patients Comprehensive information. The increase innovative social marketing schemes for affordable products and services and to improve advocacy in locally relevant and acceptable Dialects. 55

23 Under served population groups (a) Urban slums Basic and primary health care including reproductive and child health care need to be provided. Coordination with municipal bodies for water, sanitation and water disposal must be persued and targeted information education and communication Campaigns must spread about the secondary and tertiary facilities available. (b) Tribal communities hill areas population, displaced and migrant population. They remain under-served in the coverage of reproductive and child health services. These communities need special attention in terms of basic health, reproductive and child health services. The special needs of tribal groups which needs to be addressed include the provision of mobile clinics that will be responsive for the seasonal variations in the availability of work and income. (c) Increased participation of men in planned parenthood. The active involvement of men is called for in planning families, supporting contraceptive use, helping pregnant women stay healthy, arranging skilled care during delivery, avoiding delays in seeking care, helping women after delivery, finally in being a responsible father. In short, the active cooperation and participation of men is vital for ensuring programme assistance. Further, currently, over 97% of sterilizations are tubectomies and this manifestation of gender imbalance needs to be corrected. 56

24 d. Diverse Health Care providers. Give the large unmet need for reproductive and chilkd care health services, and inadequate health care infrastructure it is imperative to increase the numbers and diversify the categories of all healthcare providers. Ways of doing this include accrediting Private medical Practitioners and assigning them to defined beneficiary groups to provide these services. Revival of the system of licensed medical practitioners who, after appropriate certification from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) could provide specified clinical services. 6. Collaboration with private sector and NGOs. We need to put in place a partnership of non government voluntary organizations, the private corporate sector, Government and Community. Triggered by rising incomes and institutional finance, Private health care has grown significantly, and with an impressive pool of expertise and management skills, which currently accounts for nearly 75% of health care expenditures. New structures (I) National commission on Population A National commission on Population presided over by the Prime Minister, having the chief Ministers of all states and UTs, and the Central minister in charge of the department of family welfare and other concerned Central ministers and departments had been formed. The Department of Education, Department of women and child development, Ministry of HRD, Ministry of rural development, Ministry of Environment and Forest and others reputed demographers were made to associate 57

25 in this group. Public Health professionals, NGOs were made the members. The main task of the commission was to oversee and review implementation of the policy. The commission secretariat provided by the Department of Family Welfare. II) State/UTs commissions on population Each state should have the following measures. 1. Convergence of service delivery at Village level, 2. Empowering women for improved Health and Nutrition 3. Child health and survival, 4. Meeting the unmet needs for & family welfare, services 5. Reaching out to the under served population groups such as urban slum dwellers, tribal communities hill areas population, displaced and migrant population; adolescents; 6. Making use of diverse health care providers 7. Collaboration with private sector and NGOs, 8. Mainstreaming of Indian systems of medicine and Homeopathy, 9. Promotion of research on contraceptive technology and reproductive and child health, 10. Providing for older persons above 60 years, 11. Informations, education and communications. 58