On the occasion of World Population Day, the Government of Uttar Pradesh came up with a new population policy for 2021-2030. The highlight of the draft Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation and Welfare) Bill, 2021, is that those who contribute towards population control, especially government employees, will stand to gain in many ways. For one, they will be eligible for additional increments and promotions!
The state government has announced that government servants who have only two or less than two children will receive promotions, increments and even concessions in housing schemes.
The draft policy states that public servants who limit their family to just two children will be eligible for two additional increments in their service period. They will also enjoy fully paid maternity or paternity leave of 12 months. During this leave, they will also get their allowances and a three per cent increase in the employer’s contribution fund under the National Pension Scheme.
Even those who are not government employees, but adhere to the two-child norm will enjoy benefits such as discounts in water tax, loans for housing, and so on. A child whose parent has opted for vasectomy will enjoy free medical facilities till she or he turns 20.
Of course, these benefits will only be applicable to married couples wherein the husband is at least 21 years of age and the wife at least 18. The policy will not be enforced on anyone. It will be voluntary.
The draft bill is available on the UP government website and people are free to give their suggestions till July 19. If approved, the Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation and Welfare) Bill, 2021 will be implemented in a year from the date of publication in the gazette.
