For a while now, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP President Chandrababu Naidu has been advocating for providing incentives to families to have more children. Now, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) party MP from Vizianagaram Kalisetti Appala Naidu has offered a cash incentive of Rs 50,000 each to women giving birth to a third girl child, if she already has two daughters.
The MP said that in case the third child is a boy, the mother would receive a cow from him. He said he would pay the cash incentive from his salary as an MP, and that the incentive would apply to all regardless of whether they are below the poverty line.
Appala Naidu made the announcement at a meeting organised on March 8 on the occasion of International Women’s Day, at Rajiv Sports compound in Vizianagaram.
He said that he was announcing the incentives following CM Naidu’s calls for people to have more children. CM Naidu has voiced concern over declining fertility rate in the state, expressing concern that Andhra Pradesh would be at a disadvantage if the population continues to decline.
During his visit to Delhi in March, CM Naidu once again voiced concern over the declining population in South India, saying its ageing population poses certain challenges, whereas states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have a younger demographic.
He emphasised the need for long-term demographic management rather than population control.
"I used to advocate family planning. Now I am changing my views and promoting population growth. India is one country with the biggest advantage in the demographic dividend. If we can manage demographic dividend for the future, India and Indians will be great. Global communities are depending on us, Indians for global services," he said.
Chandrababu Naidu announced on March 8 that maternity leave will be granted for all women employees during child delivery time irrespective of the number of children they have.
