NEW DELHI: Delhi is the second most populated city in the world, stretching the city’s resources and infrastructure. But the cit y government appears least concerned. The Arvind Kejriwal government has not spent a single penny on creating awareness about population control, an RTI reply has revealed.
In reply to a query filed by RTI activist Zeeshan Haider, the Delhi Government said no money was spent in 2016-17 and 2017-18 (until September) for awareness campaigns on family planning through advertisements.
According to the data issued by the Directorate of Family Welfare, an amount of Rs 8,18,917 was spent on such campaigns in 2012-13. While the amount spent in 2013-14 was Rs 3,06,965, Rs 4,78,641 was spent in 2014-15 and Rs 5,80,944 on 2015-16.
But thereafter, no amount was spent on advertisement and no initiative has been taken to control population.
“I don’t know how much money has been spent specifically on family planning programme. As we distribute funds in bulk to all districts and zones for advertisement purposes through different medium, it depends upon them,” said J.P. Kapoor, Director of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi.
“Apart from advertisement, we work through multi-media campaigns, directly connect with the people by conducting seminars, post ers and banners, and hold interpersonal meeting with people. We have also started a 15-day campaign on non-scalpel vasectomy for which a good number of men came forward and registered. Cases of men (going for sterilization) are increasing compared to women,” Kapoor added.
Manoj Kumar, chairperson of NGO Ayushi Jan Sewa Foundation, said, “For the last two years, the government has not done anything. Now it is running a 15-day campaign at the end of the year to show that it is working. While more women are coming forward for birth control measures, the government claims it’s the opposite. This year, nearly 17,000 women have come for sterilization, while the number of men was only 900.”
Delhi’s population has now reached 26 million and is expected to rise to 36 million by 2030.