Uttar Pradesh Population bill explained: Breaking down Yogi government's new one-child policy in 15 slides!

This Act shall be called the Uttar Pradesh population (Control, stabilization and Welfare) Act, 2021, and it will extend to the whole of the state. It will come into force after one year from the date of publication in the Gazette.

WHAT IS UP POPULATION BILL: CM Yogi Adityanath unveiled a policy aimed at stabilising the population in Uttar Pradesh and reducing maternal and infant deaths in a time-bound manner as he termed rising population a 'hurdle in development'. 

WHY POPULATION CONTROL IN UP? CM Adityanath said that bringing the bill is necessary to control and stabilize the population to promote sustainable development with more equitable distribution.

Provisions have been made for ensuring health services for all and for paying special attention to pregnant women, infants, sick newborns and children who are severely malnourished.

Under the policy, efforts will be made to increase accessibility of contraceptive measures under the family planning programme and to provide a proper system for safe abortions, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement.

WHAT ABOUT DETRACTORS? By implication, it intends to penalise couples with more than two children.

The violators are barred from applying for government jobs as also contesting local body elections.

UP is the most populous state in the country with a gross fertility rate of 2.7

Their eligibility for state-run welfare schemes are restricted as well.

HOW UP IS PLANNING TO ATTRACT COUPLES TO TWO-CHILDREN POLICY? According to the proposal, parents who limit their family to only two children and are in government service and undergoing voluntary sterilization will be given facilities like two additional increments.

There are also provisions to provide exemptions in water, electricity, house tax, home loan, and other such facilities to couples with two children who are not in government jobs.

Promotions and an exemption in government housing schemes etc are also on the card for couples if they adhere to the government proposals.

Preference to the single child in government jobs is also assured in Bill.

Free education up to graduation level, scholarship for higher studies in case of a girl child and p

The single child will get preference in admission in all educational institutions including but not limited to the Indian Institute of Management and All India Institute of Management Science.

IN A NUTSHELL: Efforts will be made for population stabilization by providing accessible solutions to impotence/infertility and reducing the infant and maternal mortality rate.