UP population Bill promotes 2-child policy; incentivizes smaller families

In the first draft of the proposed population control Bill, the Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission has recommended provisions to disqualify people with more than two children from availing the benefits of government schemes.

UP State Law Commission Chairman Justice A.N. Mittal told India Today TV today that the Bill proposes to bar the violators of the two-child policy from contesting local body elections or applying for government jobs. The Bill also limits ration card units to four.

The proposed legislation intends to incentivize the two-child policy by making the compliant government employees eligible for benefits like two additional increments during entire service, subsidized purchase of plot or house, lower utility charges, and a 3 per cent hike in the Employee Provident Fund or EPF under the National Pension Scheme. Those with a single child will get four additional increments, free healthcare and education for their child till the age of 20.

There will also be incentives for those who are not government employees if they adhere to the two-child policy. They will get concessions on water and electricity bills, house tax, home loans, etc. The Bill also encourages vasectomy and sterilization.

Mittal also said there would be no relaxation in cases of polygamy and polyandry. “Those who are questioning this must know that the government can’t invest money of taxpayers on them with more than two children,” Mittal said.

The commission intends to present the policy by the second week of next month.