NHRC to consider important issues relating to the National Population Policy

The National Human Rights Commission will consider all relevant and important issues in the National Population Policy, which is understood to be in the process of revision. The Commission has thought it necessary to duly address the policy at this stage.

Initially NHRC received a petition from the representatives of women’s groups and health groups highlighting certain discrepancies in the population policy of the country. The petitioners found it “profoundly disturbing” that several State Governments had announced population policies, which, allegedly, in very significant ways, violated the letter and the spirit of the National Population Policy.

The Commission thus, to take into view, the responses of the concerned authorities for the purpose of forming its own views, issued notice to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of Women & Child Development) and the National Commission on Population, Government of India. In addition, the National Commission on Population was also requested to indicate the authenticity of the allegation that the Government was considering a “Strategy Paper” to review the National Family Welfare Programme and Policy which also violated the spirit of the National Population Policy 2000. If authentic, the Commission asked the National Commission on Population to indicate the purpose and nature of its use.

Meanwhile, the NHRC also took suo-motu cognizance of a news report which stated that several States were preparing to use coercive population control methods in complete violation of the National Policy – which would not only lead to violation of human rights but may also increase female foeticide. The report added that at least five States – Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra had already prepared policies that proposed various disincentives including denial of free rations and education to the third child.

The Commission, thus, has issued notices to the five States mentioned above.

Meanwhile reports have been received from the Ministry of Health and the National Commission on Population. On receiving the remaining reports, the Commission will consider the issue in its entirety. All reports are expected to reach the Commission by 2 September 2002.