Reacting to an announcement that the Center may pass a law to control the population, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Monday that birth rates could be better controlled by educating women and girls rather than by enacting laws.
Kumar made the remark here in response to questions from reporters asking for his opinion on Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel’s recent statement in Raipur that a population control law will soon be introduced by the central government.
Making a law for population control will do no good at all… Population control can only be achieved by educating women and girls. The fertility rate can only be controlled through education and awareness, he said during his weekly awareness programme.
Kumar said the fertility rate in Bihar had fallen to 3% from around 4% previously. “This has all happened because of our consistent efforts to educate women and girls in the state. I hope this will further decrease to 2% over the next four to five years.
He cited the example of China where the one-child policy had been in vogue for many years. “The policy has now gone from one to two children,” Kumar added.
Bihar is the third most populous state in the country and the most densely populated.
Asked to comment on the suicide of five family members in Samastipur district on Sunday, Kumar said it was “very tragic” and relevant departments are already investigating the incident. Preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that the family was in debt.
(Only the title and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dear reader,
Business Standard has always endeavored to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that matter to you and that have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your constant encouragement and feedback on how to improve our offering has only strengthened our resolve and commitment to these ideals. Even in these challenging times stemming from Covid-19, we remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative opinions and incisive commentary on relevant topical issues.
However, we have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more so that we can continue to bring you more great content. Our subscription model has received an encouraging response from many of you who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of bringing you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practice the journalism we are committed to.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
digital editor