Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is advocating for financial incentives to encourage families to have more children, marking a significant shift from the state's previous policies focused on population control. This initiative aims to address the declining fertility rates in Andhra Pradesh and reframe the approach towards population as an "investment in human capital."
Naidu's concerns stem from the state's current demographic trends, where fertility rates have fallen below the replacement level. He has voiced worries that Andhra Pradesh could face serious problems if the population continues to decline at the current rate. The Chief Minister has pointed out that Southern states face challenges with aging populations, while states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have younger demographics. He is now emphasizing the need for long-term demographic management rather than strict population control.
The proposed financial incentives are designed to support larger families, with the specific details of the incentives still under consideration. Naidu has indicated that families would be taken as a unit, and bigger families may receive higher incentives. This approach is integrated into the broader 'Zero Poverty' initiative, which includes a model where wealthier individuals and families adopt poorer families, aiming to bridge income disparities and ensure the welfare of the entire family.
In addition to direct financial assistance, the Andhra Pradesh government has implemented several related measures. Restrictions on maternity leave for female employees have been removed, allowing them to avail of maternity leave any number of times. The state government has also mandated that all organizations provide childcare centers at workplaces. Furthermore, financial assistance of Rs 15,000 is being provided to mothers of schoolchildren. The two-child policy, which previously barred individuals with more than two children from contesting local elections, has also been reversed.
The Chief Minister's stance reflects a broader discussion about demographic management and the need to sustain economic growth. He has expressed that India has a demographic advantage and can offer global services if the population dividend is managed effectively. He has also urged the central government and finance commission to promote population growth through incentives, rather than penalizing states with aging populations.
Kalisetti Appala Naidu, a TDP MP from Vizianagaram, has also announced incentives to support CM Naidu's vision. He has offered Rs 50,000 to women giving birth to a third girl child, if they already have two daughters, and a cow if the third child is a boy. This incentive would be paid from his salary as an MP and applies regardless of the family's economic status.
These initiatives are part of a larger effort to leverage the state's "Gender Dividend, Silver Dividend, and Youth Dividend" to shape its future. While much of India is focused on managing population explosion, Andhra Pradesh is trying to turn its declining fertility and aging workforce into an economic advantage. The state's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.5, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1. By 2047, Andhra Pradesh is projected to have a large elderly population. In light of these statistics, the government is pushing for policies that sustain growth, manage labor shortages, and ensure social security for the elderly.
The move to incentivize larger families reflects a significant policy shift in Andhra Pradesh, prioritizing population growth and demographic management to secure the state's economic future.
