Andhra Pradesh has officially scrapped a rule that had been in place for nearly 30 years, which prevented individuals with more than two children from participating in urban local body elections.
The decision was made with the passage of the AP Municipal Laws Amendment Bill, 2024, which was approved in the Assembly without any debate. This change overturns the 1994 legislation that was originally designed to manage population growth. The Municipal Minister presented the Bill four days earlier, according to a state press release.
The updated law aims to counter the state’s declining birth rate and promote population growth.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has encouraged families in Andhra Pradesh and across southern states to have more children, expressing concerns about the region's ageing demographic. "Although we have a demographic advantage until 2047, we are already seeing signs of an ageing population in southern India, including Andhra Pradesh," Naidu said earlier in October. He pointed out that countries like Japan, China, and several in Europe are grappling with the challenges of a rapidly ageing population. In Andhra Pradesh, the situation is worsened by the migration of young people to other regions in India and abroad.
Naidu noted that the state's fertility rate has fallen to 1.6, significantly below the national average of 2.1. If this decline continues, the state may face serious socio-economic challenges by 2047.
Reflecting on previous policies, Naidu acknowledged his past support for population control: "At that time, the priority was to preserve limited resources, and it was believed that population growth could hinder development. While we were successful in reducing the growth rate, it has led to new challenges today."
To address these shifts, the state government is exploring additional strategies to influence population trends, including incentives for larger families. The Chief Minister stressed that maintaining balanced population growth is crucial to overcoming the difficulties associated with an ageing society and increasing migration from rural to urban areas.
Centre to soon come up with new policy for senior citizens
Supreme Court Rejects Petition to Ban WhatsApp Over IT Rules Compliance
Govt Plans to Support 12.5 Lakh Students for Competitive Exam Prep by 2029