Module 2 Illiteracy, Poverty, Unemployment and Population Growth

Transcription

1 Module 2 Illiteracy, Poverty, Unemployment and Population Growth Lecture 14 Population Policy, Family Planning, Role of the Civil Society Population Policy The development of a population policy facilitates the scientific and speedy advancement of a family planning programme in any country. The importance of regulating rapid growth of population was known to humanity ever since Robert Malthus, the father of population sciences, wrote his famous essays on population as early as in 1797 focusing on the need for accepting family planning and beyond family planning measures. However, population policy per se developed only after the middle of the 20th century. Definite policy formulations for the control of rapid growth of population were adopted by the United Nations as late as Nevertheless, you may be happy to hear that a pioneering country, which adopted population policy as a part of developmental programmes, as early as in 1952, was India. Both our policy developed into a comprehensive plan of action only from Seen in terms of on-going development models, one of the most serious problems faced by the developing countries is the control of the rapid rate of growth of population. It has become therefore, necessary to evolve on appropriate population policy. The population policy should emphasise the following: Increase the rate of employment at such a rate that it will do away with unemployment among population of working age; and Controlling the growth of population, by adopting family planning. Family planning implies two things: (i) limiting the number of children to be born to a couple to one or two; and (ii) determining the spacing of children. Joint initiative of IITs and IISc Funded by MHRD Page 1 of 5

2 National Population Policy, 2000 The National Population Policy was announced on February 15, 2000 with following objectives: The immediate objective of the policy has been described as aimed at meeting the unmet needs for contraception, health care infrastructure, health personnel and integrated service delivery. The mid-term objectives are outlined as aimed at bringing the total fertility to replacement levels two children per couple by a vigorous implementation of intersectoral strategies. The long-term objective is stabilisation of population for The policy has outlined 16 promotional and motivational measures to implement it vigorously. Among these, the more important are as follows: Reward Panchayats and Zila Parishads for promoting small family norm Strict enforcement of Child Marriage Restraint Act and Pre-natal Diagnostics Techniques Act Health insurance covers of Rs. 5,000 for couples below poverty line, with two living children, who undergo sterilisation Rewards for couples below poverty line, who marry after legal age, have first child after the mother reaches 21, accept small family norm and undergo sterilisation after birth of two children Funds and soft loans for providing ambulance services in rural areas Strengthening abortion facilities scheme A National Commission on Population, headed by the Prime Minister, has also been set up. The Commission will monitor the new policy. Family Planning Although the Indian Government adopted family planning as a part of Five Year Plans right from the First Plan onwards, this programme had many ups and downs during the last four decades. During the first three Five Year Plan periods it received the least financial support. Relatively more political commitment, supported by increased allocation of finance and seriousness in implementation of this programme was noticed subsequently up to the mid 70s. Nevertheless, even during this period financial allocation made for this programme was less than 3 per cent of the total Joint initiative of IITs and IISc Funded by MHRD Page 2 of 5

3 budget of the Central Government. However, a sudden spurt in promotion of a planning programme was observed during the emergency period ( ), followed by an equally indifferent attitude to this programme during the period Subsequently from 1980 onwards, this programme received greater impetus. However, this programme continues to progress very slowly in India as compared to many other developing countries in the Asian region such as China, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. I In India, the family planning programme initially came into being as a uni purpose vertical programme fully financed by the Central Government but implemented by the State Governments. After knowing the problem of implementing this programme, it was initially integrated with maternal and child health programmes and later on with total health programmes and made as a part of the multipurpose programme. It has an administrative set up at the National Level (Department of Family Planning), State level (Department of Health and Family Planning), and District and PHC levels. From the seventh Five Year Plan period onwards, for every 30 thousand population one Primary Health centre has been envisaged to promote health and family planning at peripheral level. Role of the Civil Society The role of civil society in welfare and development can be traced from the preindependence era to the present day. During the national movement itself, India's civil society began to emerge. This process was aided by the mobilising efforts associated with the pre-independence elections to legislative councils. The Constitution of India outlined the functions of its political institutions, including the division of powers between the central and provincial tiers of its federal system. The Constitution contained the usual liberal protections that make civil society possible, that is, freedom of speech, assembly, and so forth. The civil society was also shaped by other legal provisions, like the 'reservation' of about one-fifth of parliamentary constituencies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In the last few decades, the role of civil society has increased substantially in the field of policy -making. Specific roles performed by the civil society organisations are as follows: Joint initiative of IITs and IISc Funded by MHRD Page 3 of 5

4 Supporting the Government plan projects CSOs help in selecting the suitable locations for innovative government projects, and specify the strengths and weaknesses. In this regard, they suggest ways to overcome the shortcomings that government may face at the time of implementation. Thus, CSOs contribute at the time of planning itself. They act more quickly than a government bureaucracy due to the flexible and democratic nature of their organizations. They support and demonstrate the results of pilot projects very effectively and facilitate clear commnunication between citizens and the government. Facilitating Communication in the Planning Process In policy-making, especially at the field level, they have a good feel of the community response and basic needs of the citizens. To win the confidence of the people (community) they use interpersonal methods of communication. They provide information to the public agencies about the lives, attitudes, culture and capabilities of people in their area. In the context of policy-making, they facilitate communication at both levels, upward (from citizens to the government) and downwards (from government to citizens). In upward communication, they inform the government about the requirements, orientations and abilities of local people; and provide feedback for modifying or changing the existing programmes in consonance with the basic needs of the area. Downward communication entails creating awareness among people (local) about the government plans, functions, and available resources. They work in strategic ways, share information, and develop networking between the other organisations involved in their field. Mobilising Local Resources and Initiatives for Proper Planning The civil society actors play a crucial role in development especially through mobilising local resources and initiatives. Their efforts can be seen during the postdisaster phase, especially in planning for rehabilitation and reconstruction. To uplift the vulnerable people they plan and develop land, building materials supply centre, and community-based economic enterprises; construct houses; and provide infrastructure. In addition, they plan, operate and maintain drinking water supply, public &lets and solid waste collection services. In certain cases, NGOs become spokespersons for the poor underprivileged sections of society in safeguarding their interests and protecting their rights by influencing government agencies. Joint initiative of IITs and IISc Funded by MHRD Page 4 of 5

5 Advocacy for Underprivileged Sections Civil society actors prepare and empower the disadvantaged sections of people to overcome psychological inhibitions and to raise their voice against atrocities and injustice. This is basically an advocacy role. To influence the officials or non-officials concerned they make representations, arrange demonstrations, provide focus in the media about cases of the affected citizens so as to bring changes in policy and practice. They also help the government in monitoring and evaluation of government policies and programmes. Evaluation of Government Policies The CSOs conduct innovative research and activities in the field of planning for policy-making and implementation of development programmes, which is documented and shared with the government and public. These efforts in monitoring and sharing of results contribute to the effective functioning of the bureaucracy and political leadership, and encourage people's participation in the policymaking process; thus, they keep a check on policy process. Some NGOs provide technical assistance, and training for monitoring and evaluation. Facilitating Development, Education, Training and Technical Assistance The civil society actors develop programmes, with the help of experts, to provide technical assistance and training capabilities. They also provide training for volunteers and personnel of other NGOs. References Questions 1. Write a short note on population policy in India. 2. How do you assess family planning programmes in India? 3. Briefly explain the role of civil society in India. Joint initiative of IITs and IISc Funded by MHRD Page 5 of 5