34

CHAPTER 3

AN ESTIMATE OF THE POPULATION POLICY OF INDIA

This chapter makes an attempt to estimate the previous population policies of

India. It is necessary to study the demographic characteristics of this country, before

going into the analysis of the policies on population. Therefore, in this chapter an

attempt has been made to study the demographic changes in our country at different

periods of time and the actions taken by the government in this regard. The study

starts from the Pre Independence period and proceeds towards the sustained efforts

that were being brought into practice from time to time, to lead our country towards

growth and development.

India has the distinction of being the first country in the world to launch a

national programme, emphasizing family planning to the extent necessary for

The pre-independence Period

The British rulers of the country were not interested in formulating any

population policy for India, nor they were in favour of the birth control movement.

The reasons for this being,

(1) In their own homeland the birth control issue was itself controversial

and

(2) The general policy of British was to keep away from any measures

which would be considered by the Indians as an intrusion on their

own traditions, customs, values and beliefs.

A section of the intellectual elites among the Indians showed some concern

about the population issue during the period between the two world wars, despite the

35

fact that the pre- occupation of the general population was primarily with the

independence movement. At this point , the cause of concern was the density of

population and not the rate of growth, for high rates of mortality and fertility did not

result in alarmingly high growth rates. Census 1931 indicated that the intercensal

increase was much higher than that during the earlier decade; yet there was

confusion regarding whether or not India was over populated. The Neo- Multhusians

were of the opinion that a smaller population would mean better living conditions

for the masses. Following Multhus, they argued that any further gains in the

economic condition of the country would be wiped out if the population continued to

grow rapidly. They advocated the need for a population policy to spread the practice

of birth control among the people.

Table 3.1: Population growth in India 1901-2001

Year Population (crores) increase (crores) during the decade

Percentage increase during the decade

1891 23.59 -0.04 -0.2

1901 23.55 +1.6 +5.7

1911 25.2 -0.1 -0.3

1921 25.1 +2.8 +11.0

1931 27.9 + 4.0 + 14.2

1941 31.9 +4.2 +13.3

1951 36.1 ++7.8 +21.5

1961 43.9 +10.8 +24.8

1971 54.8 +13.5 +24.7

1981 68.3 +16.1 +23.5

1991 84.4 +12.0 +14.2

2001 100 +15.6 +21.34 Source: census of India. GOI

.

36

Enunciation of Family Planning:

(1916 1947)

Several important developments took place between 1916 and the attainment

of independence in 1947. 1916 found the dawn of Family Planning and Pyare

Kishen Wattal published his book, The Population Problem in India, in which he

advocated family planning . In 1925, the first birth control centre was opened in by

Raghunath Dhondo Kave in Bombay and this was dismissed by of his orthodox

employers. On June 11, 1930, the government of Mysore, a progressive native state,

opened the first government birth control clinic in the world. In 1931, the senate of

the Madras University accepted the proposal to impart instruction in methods of

conception control. The following year the Government of Madras agreed to open

Lucknow recommended that men and women should be instructed in methods of

birth control in recognized clinics. In 1935, the Indian National Congress set up a

National planning Committee. The committee expressed concern inter alia , over

the size of the Indian population which was a basic issue in national economic

planning. The committee recommended in the interest of the social economy, family

happiness, and national planning, family planning and limitation of children are

essential. On December 1, 1935, the society for the study and promotion of Family

Hygiene was founded with Lady Cowsji Jahangir as its first President, training

courses in birth control were conducted by Dr. A.P. Pillai, a vigorous advocate of

- and the

Matru Seva Sangh in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, established birth control clinics.

In the midst of all this support for population control and family planning, a

different note was sounded by the Famine Enquiry Commission of 1943, called the

Woodhead

37

with the objective of encouraging the practice of birth control among the mass of the

population is impracticable. A fall in birth rate will tend to follow rather than

precede economic

Once again, support for birth control was evident when the Health Survey

and Development Committee set up by the government of India in 1945, under the

Chairmanship of Sir Joseph Bhore, recommended that birth control service should

be provided for the promotion of the health of mothers and children.

It is clear that, prior to independence, the controversial issue of birth control

concerned only a handful of intellectuals while the actual practice of birth control

was restricted to the westernized minority in the cities. There was pressure from the

intellectuals that Government formulate a policy for dissemination of information on

birth control and for encouraging its practice.

Milestones in the Evolution of the population policy in independent India :

The Bohare Committee Report 1946, is a Milestone in the evolution of

Family Planning policy in Independent India. India was consistent in advocating a

population control policy right from the first five year plan ( 1951-56). Yet after 50

years, the goal of population stabilization is still eluding us.

In 1952, India was the first country in the world to launch a National

Programme, emphasizing family planning to the extent necessary for reducing birth

l consistent with the requirement of

accompanied by a similar drop in birth rates. In 1966, several important

developments concerning the family planning programme took place. A full fledged

Department of Family planning was established within the Ministry of Health,

38

which was designated as the ministry of Health and Family Planning and a Minister

of cabinet rank was placed in its charge. A cabinet committee of Family Planning,

initially headed by the Prime Minister and later by the Finance Minister, was

constituted at the central level.

In 1976, during emergency, Government of ZIndia, announced National

population Policy. Points highlighted in this were as follows.

(i) The Government proposed legislation to raise the age of marriage to

18 for girls and 21 for boys;

(ii) The Government would take special measures to raise the level of

female education in the states;

(iii) As the acceptance of Family Planning by the poorer sections of

society was significantly related to the use of monetary compensation

as from May 1, 1976 to Rs. 150 for sterilization (by men or women)

if performed with 2 children, Rs. 100 if performed with three living

children and Rs. 70 if performed with four or more children.

Taking advantage of the emergency conditions in the country, a massive

drive for compulsory sterilization was undertaken. During 1976 77 a total of 8.2

million sterilizations were carried out as against the target of 4.3 million

sterilizations. The speeding up of the compulsory sterilization programme was

carried out more through coercive measures than the provision of incentives. The

general public felt that pressure and compulsion was used to force sterilization. In

order to meet the targets, the government officials misused the power and rounded

up people, for mass vasectomy camps. This resulted in a distortion of programme in

various ways.

39

(a) The target-oriented approach prompted the family planning staff to

work in an indiscriminate manner and high proportion of people

sterilized did not belong to the reproductive age group.

(b) The family planning programme was speeded up at the cost of

general health services; consequently provision of normal health

service suffered in hospitals.

The Janata Government which came to power in March 1977, showed utter

lack of appreciation of the seriousness of the population problem. The Family

Panning Programme was renamed as the Family Welfare Programme The Policy

statement of the Janata Government in June 1977 spoke of only voluntary methods

to solve the population problem and the need to integrate family planning services

with those for health, maternity, child care and nutrition. The Bureaucracy too soft-

pedaled the implementation. There was a major set back to the sterilization

programme.

The Policy statements of both 1976 and 1977 were laid on the Table of the

house of the parliament, but never discussed or adopted. The National Health Policy

the health policy, parliament emphasized the need for a separate National Population

policy. The National Health Policy 1983 stated that replacement levels of total

fertility rate (TFR) should be achieved by 2000.

In 1991, the National Development Council appointed a Committee on

population with Sri. Karunakaran as Chairman. The Karunakaran report ( Report of

the National Development Council (NDC) Committee on Population) endorsed by

40

long term holistic view of development, population growth and environment

prot

and a monitoring mechanism with short, medium and long term perspectives and

of 1976 and 1977 were placed on the table of parliament, however parliament never

really discussed or adopted them. Specifically, it was recommended that a National

Policy of Population should be formulated by the government and adopted by

parliament.

In 1993 an Expert Group headed by Dr. M.S Swaminathan was asked to

prepare a draft of national population policy that would be discussed by the cabinet

and then by the parliament. In 1994 the Expert Group submitted its Report. The

report was circulated among members of parliament and comments requested form

central and state agencies. It was anticipated that a National Population policy

approved by the National Development Council and the parliament would help

produce a broad political consensus.

In 1997, on the eve of the 50th

Prime Minister Mr. I.K. Gujral promised to announce a National Population policy

in near future. During the same year in November Cabinet approved the Draft

National Population policy with the direction that this be placed before parliament.

However, this document could not placed in either House of Parliament as the

respective houses stood adjourned followed by dissolution of the Lok Sahba.

Another round of consultations was held during 1998, and another draft

National population Policy was finalized and placed before the cabinet in March

1999. Cabinet appointed a Group of Ministers (headed by Dy. Chairman, Planning

Commission) to examine the draft policy. The GOM met several times and

deliberated over the nuances of the population policy. In order to finalize a view

41

about the inclusion or exclusion of incentives and disincentives, the Group of

Ministers invited a cross section of expects from among academia, public health

professional, demographers, social scientists, and women representatives. The GOM

finalized a draft population policy and placed the same before cabinet. This was

discussed in cabinet on 19 November 1999. Several suggestions were made during

the deliberations. On that basis, a fresh drafts was submitted to cabinet.

It was long before procuring our Independence even that several discussion

benches saw the onset of population policy. Much before Independence; in the year

1938 only a Sub Committee on population was set up by the National Planning

Committee appointed by the Interim Government. The National Planning

Committee passed a resolution in 1940 that stated the need for the state to adopt

family planning and welfare policies in order to bring about a harmonious order of

social economy. The resolution also stressed the need of limitation of children.

April, 1951 recorded further enhancements in this policy formulation as the

First Five Year Plan labeled for an overt population policy and adjudged family

planning as a pragmatic and essential step towards improvement in health of

mothers and children. It was because in the plan, family planning was treated as a

part of the health program and received a 100% funding from the centre

government. And with each passing year, the amount of these funds has increased.

The success of this family planning agenda was so dear to the heart of the

government that even a separate department coined as Department of Family

Planning was carved out in the Ministry of Health in the year 1966. This was done

with an objective to reinforce the population control program.

42

This National Population Policy was further modified and re announced in

1977. In this new policy, what was reinforced was education and health. The latter

component of the reformulated policy included the general as well as maternal and

child health both. A voluntary family planning was also introduced here on. This

also saw the change of the phrase from Family Planning to Family Welfare program

that is maintained till date.

43

3.4 Decadel Growno Rate - India

44

3.5 Religionwise Distribution of population - India

Religious Population in India - India is home to many famous religions and

cultures in the world. Various religions like Hinduism apart from Buddhism, Jainism

and Sikhism started in India. With 80% of India's population, Hinduism is the most

dominant religions in India. Islam is the second most dominant religion in the

country with 13% Muslim population. Sikhs and Christians are also present in the

country but in a very small number. Hindu religion is present in almost every nook

and corner of the country. Sikh community has a stronghold in the state of Punjab

with more than 60% of Sikh population. Despite of all these, the people of India

celebrates every festival with equal devotion. In Mumbai Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi

is celebrated both by Hindus and Muslims. The annual Kumbh Mela witnesses

million of Hindus gathering from around the world. People of India present a unique

way of life by celebrating each festival and holiday with great religious dedication.

21.01%

33.32%15.26%

2.32%

11.77%

12.48%5.84%

Muslims Chris ans Hindus Atheists Non Religious Other Religions Buddhist

45

3.2 Religious Population in India According to 2001 Population Census

Religion Population Population (%)

Hindus 827,578,868 80.5

Muslims 138,188,240 13.4

Christians 24,080,016 2.3

Sikhs 19,215,730 1.9

Buddhists 7,955,207 0.8

Jains 4,225,053 0.4

Other Religions & Persuasions 6,639,626 0.6

Religion not Stated 727,588 0.1

Total 1,028,610,328

There are no religious discrepancies in India.

46

Table 3.1 Statewide Population on the basis of religion

Statewise Population on the basis of Religion.

State Population Hindus Muslim Christians Buddhist Jains Sikhs Others

Andhra Pradesh 66,508,008 59,281,950 5,923,954 1,216,384 22,153 26,564 21,910 2,564

Arunachal 864,558 320,212 11,922 89,013 111,372 64 1,205 313,118

Assam 22,414,322 15,047,293 6,373,204 744,367 64,008 20,645 16,492 138,230

Bihar 86,374,465 71,193,417 12,787,985 843,717 3,518 23,049 78,212 1,443,258

Goa 1,169,793 756,621 61,455 349,225 240 487 1,087 403

Gujarat 41,309,582 6,964,228 3,606,920 181,753 11,615 491,331 33,044 4,213

Haryana 16,463,648 14,686,512 763,775 15,699 2,058 35,296 956,836 156

Himachal Pradesh 5,170,877 4,958,560 89,134 4,435 64,081 1,206 52,050 211

Jammu & Kashmir 7,718,700*

Karnataka 44,977,201 38,432,027 5,234,023 859,478 73,012 326,114 10,101 6,325

Kerala 9,098,518 16,668,587 6,788,364 5,621,510 223 3,641 2,224 3,275

Madhya Pradesh 66,181,170 61,412,898 3,282,800 426,598 216,667 490,324 161,111 62,457

Maharashtra 78,937,187 64,033,213 7,628,755 885,030 5,040,785 965,840 161,184 99,768

Manipur 1,837,149 1,059,470 133,535 626,669 711 1,337 1,301 4,066

Meghalaya 1,774,778 260,306 61,462 1,146,092 2,934 445 2,612 298,466

Mizoram 689,756 34,788 4,538 591,342 54,024 4 299 1,859

Nagaland 1,209,546 122,473 20,642 1,057,940 581 1,202 732 5,870

Orissa 31,659,736 29,917,257 577,775 666,220 9,153 6,302 17,296 397,798

Punjab 20,281,969 6,989,226 239,401 225,163 24,930 20,763 12,767,697 883

Rajasthan 44,005,990 39,201,099 3,525,339 47,989 4,467 562,806 649,174 1,191

Sikkim 406,457 277,881 3,849 13,413 110,371 40 375 374

Tamil Nadu 55,858,946 49,532,052 3,052,717 3,179,410 2,128 66,900 5,449 2,620

Tripura 2,757,205 2,384,934 196,495 46,472 128,260 301 740 2

Uttar Pradesh 139,112,287 113,712,829 24,109,684 199,575 221,433 176,259 675,775 8,392

West Bengal 68,077,965 50,866,624 16,075,836 383,477 203,578 34,355 55,392 452,403

Andaman-Nicobar 241,453

Chandigarh 642,015

Dadra-Nagar Haveli 138,477

Daman & Diu 101,586

Delhi 9,420,614

L. Dweep 51,707

Pondicherry 807,785

Source: Census of India 2012

47

Population of India and China

Although, India and China are the most talked about countries, when it

comes to problems arising from the increasing population, many believe it is

actually a blessing in disguise. With more than 50% population below the age of 25

and about 65% below 35, the average age of an Indian after 10 years is likely to be

29 years, whereas the average age of a Chinese and Japanese, will be 37 and 48

respectively. In addition, India's dependency ratio by 2030 is expected to be just

over 0.4. According to estimated figures, the Population of India will be largest in

the World in year 2030. On the other hand, Population of China will witness a

decline in their growth after 2030. So Population explosion will somehow benefit in

Table 3.3

Population of India in 2012 1,220,200,000 (1.22 billion)

Population of China in 2012 1,360,000,600 (1.36 billion)

Population of India in 2008 1,147,995,904 (1.14 billion)

Population of China in 2008 1,330,044,605 (1.3 billion)

In 1950

India's Population 350 million

Population of China 563 million

In 2040

Population of India will be 1.52 billion

Population of China will be 1.45 billion

Proportion to World's Population

India represents almost 17.31% of the world's Population

China represents a full 20% of the world's population

48

National Population Policy of India

infrastructure, Technological advancement, socio-economic development and

Human development.

Human development is the most important for the proper utilization of the

resources, therefore India has passed the Indian National Policy in the year 2000.

The announcement of the National Population Policy 2000 by the NDA

government in February 2000 and setting up of a National Population Commission,

under the strong and promising leadership of then Prime Minister Mr. Atal Behari

Vajpayee and comprising eminent persons from all walks of life on May 11, 2000

reflected the deep commitment of the government to population stabilization

programme.

Background of the Policy

In 1952, India was the first country in the world to launch a National

The Policy for national population was first proposed in 1983. Instead the

national Health policy - 1983 was started.

area. If the current growth rate of population continued (190 million people and the

growth rate is 16.16%) it is expected that India will very soon over take China in

2045. The huge population puts a large strain on the natural resources and

environment.

March 1991 March 2001 March 2011 March 2016

846.3 1012.4 1178.9 1263.5

49

The given table shows that population of India increases progressively.

Further, this progression was first explained by Prof.Malthus in his Malthusian

theory of Population. According to him, agricultural produce increases in arithmetic

progression and growth of human population takes geometric progression. This

phenomenon leads to unequal distribution of food grains and resources. Stabilising

population is an essential requirement for promoting sustainable development with

more equitable distribution.

Table 3.6

Anticipated growth in population (million)

Year

If current trend continues If TFR 2.1 is achieved by 2010

Total population Increase in population

Total population

Increasing population

1991 846.3 --- 846.3 ---

1996 934.2 17.6 934.2 17.6

1997 949.9 15.7 949.0 14.8

2000 996.9 15.7 991.0 14.0

2002 1027.6 15.4 1013.0 11.0

2010 1162.3 16.8 1107.0 11.75

Source: Census of India 2012

50

Objectives of National Population Policy

The National Population Policy, 2000 (NPP 2000) affirms the commitments

of our government towards voluntary and informed choice and consent of citizens,

while availing of reproductive health care services and continuation of the target.

Free approach in administrating Family planning services. It is based on addressing

the various issues at the same time like child survival, maternal health and

contraception.

In 1976, during emergency govt. announced National population Policy.

Through this :

(i) The Government proposed legislation to raise the age of marriage to

18 for girls and 21 for boys;

(ii) The Government would take special measures to raise the level of

female education in the states;

(iii) As the acceptance of Family Planning by the poorer sections of

society was significantly related to the use of monetary compensation

as from May 1, 1976 to Rs. 150 for sterilization (by men or women)

if performed with 2 children, Rs. 100 if performed with three living

children and Rs. 70 if performed with four or more children.

Objectives and goals to be achieved by 2016.

In pursuance of these objectives, the following National Socio-Demographic

Goals to be achieved in each case by 2010 are formulated:

51

1. To address the unmet needs for basic reproductive and child health

services, supplies and infrastructure .

2. To make School Education upto the age of 14 free and compulsory,

and reduce drop outs at primary and secondary School levels to

below 20 percent for both boys and girls.

3. Reduce infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births. Infant

Mortality Rate : the number of children born 1 live per 1000 live

births.

4. Reduce maternal mortality rate to below 100 per 100,000 live births

5. Achieve universal immunization of children against all vaccine

preventable diseases.

6. Promote delayed marriage for girls, not earlier then age 18 and

preferably after 20 years of age.

7. Achieve 80 percent institutional deliveries and 100 percent deliveries

by trained persons.

8. Achieve universal access to information/counselling and services for

fertility regulation and contraception with a wide basket of choices.

9. Achieve 100 percent registration of births, deaths, marriage and

pregnancy.

10. Contain the spread of Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

and promote greater integration between the management of

reproductive tract infection (RTI) and sexually transmitted infections

(ST) and the National AIDS Control Organization.

11. Prevent and control communicable diseases.

12. Integrate Indian system of Medicine (ISM) in the provision of

reproductive and child health services, and in reaching out to

households.

52

13. Promote vigorously the small family norm to achieve replacement

levels of TFR.

14. Bring about convergence in implementation of related social sector

programmes so that family welfare becomes a people centred

programme.

In order to strengthen the Programmes of National Population Policy and to

achieve the above mentioned national socio economic goals for 2010, 12 strategic

are as follows:

1. Decentralized planning and programme implementation,

2. Convergence of service delivery at Village level,

3. Empowering women for improved Health and Nutrition,

4. Child health and survival,

5. meeting the unmet needs for & family welfare, services

6. reaching out to the under served population groups such as urban slum

dwellers, tribal communities hill areas population, displaced and migrant

population; adolescents;

7. making use of diverse health care providers

8. collaboration with private sector and NGOs,

9. main streaming of Indian systems of medicine and Homeopathy,

10. promotion of research on contraceptive technology and reproductive and

child health,

11. Providing for older persons above 60 years,

12. Informations, education and communications.

53

The population of India in 2001 has almost tripled since 1941. The growth

rate of population peaked at 2.24 percent per annum in the decade of the seventies

and has been gradually declining thereafter, though in absolute numbers population

continues to grow at an alarming rate. The rate of growth has been less than 2

percent per annum in the period 1991-2001.

Reasons for a high Population growth :

a) The large family size many children in a family

b) Lack of awareness among people about the hazards of a large population

c) High fertility rate and hot climate which helps increase in fertility

d) Early age of marriage, especially of girls.

e) Low death rate and high birth rate.

f) Lack of proper awareness of contraception and other family Planning

measures

54

Strategic themes and measures to control the present growth rate.

To achieve the above mentioned national socio economic goals for 2010, 12

1. Decentralized planning and programme implementation: The 73rd and

74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, made Health, family, welfare and

education a responsibility of village Panchayats.

2. Better Health centres providing adequate Service for the poor and

reaching people at the village level. Below District levels, current health

infrastructure includes 2,5000 Primary Health centres(each covering a

population of 30,000)and 1.36 lakhs subcentres (each covering a population

of 5000 in the plains and 3000 in hilly regions.

3. Empowering women for improved Health and Nutrition

a) Women should be provided adequate pre natal and post natal care

(Before and after birth of child). Proper diet and nutrition should be

made available for the mothers. Care should be taken to monitor that

Children receive proper care irresepective of gender bias

(Male/Female). Traditionally, the male child received better nutrition

and health care.

b) The extent of maternal mortality is an indicator of disparity and

inequality in access to appropriate Health care and nutrition facilities

during pregnancy and child birth, and is crucial factor contributing to

high maternal mortality.

55

c) The voluntary and non-government Sector [NGO] and the Private

Corporate sector should actively collaborate with the community and

Government through specific Commitments in the areas of basic

reproductive and child health care, basic education and in securing

high levels of participation in the paid work force for women.

4. Child Health and Survival

High Mortality among infants and children below 5 years occurs due to

inadequate care, asphyxia during birth, premature birth, low birth weight,

acute respiratory infections, diarriohea , vaccine preventive diseases,

malnutrition and deficiencies of nutrients including Vitamin A.

Child survival interventions i.e. Universal Immunisation, Control of

childhood diarroheas with oral dehydration therapies, management of acute

respiratory infections, and massive doses of Vitamin A and food supplement

have all helped to reduce infant and child mortality and morbidity. With

intensified efforts, the eradication of polio is within reach.

5. Meeting the unmet needs for Family Welfare Services:

In both rural and urban areas, there continues the unmet needs for

contraceptives, supplies and equipment for integrated Service delivery,

mobility of Health Care Providers and patients Comprehensive information.

The increase innovative social marketing schemes for affordable products

and services and to improve advocacy in locally relevant and acceptable

Dialects.

56

Under served population groups

(a) Urban slums

Basic and primary health care including reproductive and child health

care need to be provided. Coordination with municipal bodies for water,

sanitation and water disposal must be persued and targeted information

education and communication Campaigns must spread about the

secondary and tertiary facilities available.

(b) Tribal communities hill areas population, displaced and migrant

population.

They remain under-served in the coverage of reproductive and child

health services. These communities need special attention in terms of

basic health, reproductive and child health services. The special needs of

tribal groups which needs to be addressed include the provision of

mobile clinics that will be responsive for the seasonal variations in the

availability of work and income.

(c) Increased participation of men in planned parenthood.

The active involvement of men is called for in planning families,

supporting contraceptive use, helping pregnant women stay healthy,

arranging skilled care during delivery, avoiding delays in seeking care,

helping women after delivery, finally in being a responsible father. In

short, the active cooperation and participation of men is vital for ensuring

programme assistance. Further, currently, over 97% of sterilizations are

tubectomies and this manifestation of gender imbalance needs to be

corrected.

57

d. Diverse Health Care providers.

Give the large unmet need for reproductive and chilkd care health

services, and inadequate health care infrastructure it is imperative to

increase the numbers and diversify the categories of all healthcare

providers. Ways of doing this include accrediting Private medical

Practitioners and assigning them to defined beneficiary groups to

provide these services. Revival of the system of licensed medical

practitioners who, after appropriate certification from the Indian Medical

Association (IMA) could provide specified clinical services.

6. Collaboration with private sector and NGOs.

We need to put in place a partnership of non government voluntary

organizations, the private corporate sector, Government and Community.

Triggered by rising incomes and institutional finance, Private health care has

grown significantly, and with an impressive pool of expertise and

management skills, which currently accounts for nearly 75% of health care

expenditures.

New structures

(I) National commission on Population

A National commission on Population presided over by the Prime Minister ,

having the chief Ministers of all states and UTs, and the Central minister in charge

of the department of family welfare and other concerned Central ministers and

departments had been formed . The Department of Education, Department of women

and child development, Ministry of HRD, Ministry of rural development, Ministry

of Environment and Forest and others reputed demographers were made to associate

58

in this group. Public Health professionals, NGOs were made the members. The main

task of the commission was to oversee and review implementation of the policy. The

commission secretariat provided by the Department of Family Welfare.

II) State/UTs commissions on population

Each state should have the following measures.

1. Convergence of service delivery at Village level,

2. Empowering women for improved Health and Nutrition

3. Child health and survival,

4. Meeting the unmet needs for & family welfare, services

5. Reaching out to the under served population groups such as urban slum

dwellers, tribal communities hill areas population, displaced and migrant

population; adolescents;

6. Making use of diverse health care providers

7. Collaboration with private sector and NGOs,

8. Mainstreaming of Indian systems of medicine and Homeopathy,

9. Promotion of research on contraceptive technology and reproductive and

child health,

10. Providing for older persons above 60 years,

11. Informations, education and communications.