If you heard of the recently proposed UP two-child policy, you may be wondering what the policy is all about, or what are punishments for the violators or what are the incentives, we have got you covered. The proposal at question here is titled ‘The Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilization and Welfare), Bill 2021.
Details
Due to the rampant and ever-increasing population in its state, the Uttar Pradesh government has brought forth a proposal that incentivizes having two children and disincentivizes having more kids than that.
As per the state’s law commission website-
“The State Law Commission, UP is working on control, stabilisation and welfare of the population of the state and has prepared a draft bill.”
Further, the Uttar Pradesh government has welcomed public suggestions to fine tune the bill and one can do so till July 19.
Also Read: China Policy Shift: China will allow couples to have up to 3 children from 2 children limit
What is the 2-Child Policy that Uttar Pradesh is trying to implement?
As the title suggest, the 2-child policy is the state’s first attempt to control the population of its state by incentivizing those who will be obliging to the act. The proposal’s justification comes in the fact that the state has limited resources and a provision is required so that all citizens have an access to basic essentials of having a livelihood.
As per the draft bill-
“In Uttar Pradesh, there are the limited ecological and economic resources at hand. It is necessary and urgent that the provision of basic necessities of human life including affordable food, safe drinking water, decent housing, access to quality education, economic/livelihood opportunities, power/electricity for domestic consumption, and a secure living is accessible to all citizens.”
Also Read: 6 of a Family Drown in Saryu River in Ayodhya, Holy Dip Proves Fatal
What are the incentives for those who have 2 children?
Any citizen from the state that accepts the norm by going through a voluntary sterilization on themselves on their partners will get incentives such as soft housing loan, rebate on essentials such as water, electricity, house tax, etc.
Further, the government employees that adapt to the policy will also be provided with increments during the course of their tenure, will give maternity/paternity leave for 12 months with salary. The government employees will also be given free health care, insurance coverage to their spouses.
Also Read: Delhi Police Seizes 350 kg of Heroin Worth Rs 2,500 crores; Links to Kashmir-Afghanistan
What are the disincentives for those who may not adopt 2-child policy?
As per the draft, any person with more than 2 children in the state after the law is implemented will not be provided with benefits of all the current and future government welfare schemes. They will also be barred from contesting election and will not be eligible to apply for the government jobs in the state.
For the government employees who choose to not adopt, they will not get promotions in their jobs, their ration card will be only applicable for 4 members. They will also not be eligible to receive any government subsidy.
Also Read: Zika Virus: Kerala Under High Alert Situation Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
When will the law be implemented? How can I submit my suggestions?
As per the draft, the law will be implemented after 1 year from the date of publication in the official gazette. For the time being, the draft is welcoming public suggestions and the government may revisit the draft on the basis of the feedback. A final version of the draft will be introduced to the Legislative Assembly after all the changes are drawn out. After it’s passed in the Legislative Assembly, it will be sent to the Uttar Pradesh governor for their approval.
