Cash Incentives for Third, Fourth Child: Andhra Pradesh's Bold Move to Reverse Population Decline

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced the launch of the 'Pillale Sampada' scheme at a World Population Day programme in the state on Saturday. Under the scheme, families will receive financial assistance of ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child. The move aims to encourage balanced population growth and address concerns over demographic stability.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Naidu said that maintaining a healthy working-age population is essential for the state's economic development, industrial growth, social welfare programmes, and future productivity. He argued that 'population preservation, not population control, is the need of the hour' as the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) around the world steadily declines.

The Chief Minister noted that Andhra Pradesh had previously introduced a rule disqualifying people with more than two children from contesting local body elections, but that rule has now been revoked 'taking the prevailing circumstances into consideration.' He observed that the importance of population management is being widely discussed to bring about the required demographic change.

Mr. Naidu expressed concern over the growing preference among young people for micro-families, stating that the TFR in Andhra Pradesh should increase because 'development would be meaningful only when there was sufficient population.' He pointed out that population is declining significantly in around 40 countries, and a similar trend is visible in South India. The number of children in Anganwadi centres and schools is declining even as the elderly population rapidly increases.

'Though Andhra Pradesh ranks seventh in geographical area, its population density is comparatively low,' the Chief Minister said. He also highlighted steps taken for women's empowerment, so that women can become entrepreneurs and prove their mettle in various fields. For balanced regional development, industries and development projects are being established across all regions.

Mr. Naidu stressed that raising children is not the sole responsibility of women, and emphasised the need to reduce the number of caesarean deliveries to protect women's health. The scheme is part of the government's focus on reducing economic disparities and providing a better quality of life for everyone, he added.