Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced a new population management policy in the state assembly aimed at encouraging childbirth and addressing declining fertility rates. Under the policy, families having a second or third child will receive Rs 25,000 at the time of delivery.

The policy will come into effect from April 1 and also provides monthly financial support of Rs 1,000 for the third child for a period of five years, along with free education for children up to 18 years. The government will also introduce 12 months of parental leave, two months of paternal leave, and special leaves for couples giving birth to a third child.

Fertility Rate Decline Sparks Concern

Naidu highlighted that Andhra Pradesh’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped from 3.0 in 1993 to 1.5 at present, well below the replacement level of 2.1. He pointed out that 58% of families have only one child, around 2.17 lakh families have two children, and nearly 62 lakh families have three or more children.

The Chief Minister warned that a low fertility rate could lead to workforce shortages and long-term economic challenges similar to nations like Japan, South Korea, and Italy.

Additional Measures to Support Families

Beyond financial incentives, the government plans to set up child care centres for every 50 children, working women’s hostels, pink toilets, and “She cabs” for women’s safety. Special Matrutva centres will provide IVF services, while the government will discourage unnecessary caesarean operations. Training programs for childcare teachers and special health clinics in 175 primary health centres for two weeks are also part of the initiative.

Naidu emphasized the need to increase women’s workforce participation from 31% to 59% to achieve a 15% Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth. A new working women’s hostel will be constructed in Visakhapatnam at a cost of Rs 172 crore.

Public Participation and Policy Discussion

The Chief Minister invited public feedback on the draft policy, describing the financial incentives and associated measures as a crucial step toward sustainable population growth and economic stability in Andhra Pradesh.

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