Wives of ministers to be put on council for population policy

Wives of ministers to be put on council for population policy
SHAILESH GAIKWAD

MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 6: After the ministers and bureaucrats, it is the turn of the wives of the ministers including the better half of Democratic Front CEO Vilasrao Deshmukh to participate in the implementation of the State's population policy.

The family planning department has come up with a novel idea to ensure active participation of women in the government's drive on population control. As per a recent government order, a 16-member council of women, `Women Council on State Population Poilcy' has been formed to implement the new population policy effectively. The committee will be headed by Chief Minister's wife, Vaishali Deshmukh and the wives of seven other ministers in the DF government are members on it. So, `home ministers' of Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, minister for public health, rural development minister, finance minister, tribal development minister, women and child welfare minister and minister of state for public health will soon participate in the meetings of the council and discuss the participation of women in the government's population control drive. At least that is what the family planning department is expecting them to do.

The term of reference to the council include, ensuring participation of women in effective implementation of the government's policy, adopting steps to create awareness among the women and submitting novel ideas to the state population policy co-ordination council headed by Chief Minister.

Other seven members on the council include secretaries for public health, family welfare, women and child welfare, a representative of the Family Planning Association of India and vice chancellor of the SNDT University, Mumbai. Additional Secretary for health services (family planning) has been appointed as the member-secretary of the council.

Although, the council was constituted through a Government Resolution issued on June 29, it is yet to held its first meeting.

When contacted, the officers of the concerned department, could not explain why the wives of the ministers have been involved in the population control drive. Especially when the state administration has number of women officiers who are actively involved in implementation of government policies.

In view of the increasing population and strain on the basic amenities, the State Government has embarked upon a massive drive for its small family norm. In accordance with its `hum do, humare do' priciple, eight government departments have decided not to give benefits of about 50 welfare schemes to the families who flout the norm. The cut-off date for the new policy is May 1, 2001. Familes haivng thier third children after this date would have to kiss goodbye to the government subsidies, concessions or various schemes under which low interest loans are given to start small business or build home. Following the deicision of the cabinet in March 2000, the state administration has geared up to implement the policy effectively.

The Chief Minister, who has taken initiative to implement the scheme, has advised his ministers and secretaries to consider the population growth aspect seriously while taking any major decision.

Ironically, the head of the women's council-- formed to convince the women to restrict the number of children to two--is mother of three!