Andhra to unveil policy to tackle declining fertility, says CM Naidu
Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that the state government will soon unveil a new policy framework to address declining fertility rates and demographic imbalance.
Speaking at the Amaravati Summit on World Population Day on Friday, Naidu emphasised that population should be treated as the state's greatest economic strength, not a burden.
"Population is the nation's strongest economic asset. A robust policy on population growth will be introduced soon," said Naidu, addressing the summit.
He observed that rising expenses are deterring young couples from having children, while Parliament seats may increase in the future, southern states could see reduced representation.
The CM recalled his earlier efforts promoting family planning and noted that today's demographic trends call for a shift in focus from control to management of population growth.
"Before 2004, as CM, I incentivised family planning. We even brought a law disqualifying those with more than two children from contesting local body elections," said Naidu.
He further said that today, there's a need to amend the law to allow those with more than two children to contest, adding that a nation is not just about its land, regions, towns, or borders, it is about its people.
Naidu said that while developed nations struggle with aging populations, India's youth advantage remains intact, though not guaranteed unless corrective policies are adopted quickly.
"Our youth population is shrinking while elderly numbers grow. To avoid a human resource crisis, we must encourage larger families," said Naidu, addressing the summit.
Naidu launched a survey seeking public input on population policy, declaring, "Your voice is our policy guide," and stressing the importance of aligning welfare with people's preferences.
He expressed concern that while the global population is increasing, birth rates are declining, and the youth population is shrinking while the elderly population is increasing.
Naidu noted that nations like Japan, Hungary, and Singapore now offer cash, tax exemptions and housing benefits to families with more children.
He pointed out that the southern state's fertility rate stands at 1.7, well below the replacement rate of 2.1, underscoring the urgency of reversing this trend.
Naidu also cited concerns over the fading of joint family systems, rising cost of living, and the changing outlook of youth, saying such factors must shape future family-centric policies.
Mentioning his recent visit to Kuppam, he shared an anecdote of a three-generation household as a model for societal stability and economic resilience.
Stressing gender equality, he said TDP governments have historically empowered women by giving from the gas cylinder scheme to property rights and representation in colleges and transport services.
Naidu maintained that India's population advantage will hold only until 2047, urging policymakers to treat human capital as a long-term resource and not a short-term liability.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
