Thread by @Shivansh_2611

The Population Regulation Bill, 2019 is up for consideration and passing today in the RS. A Private Member Bill introduced by Rakesh Sinha (affiliated to RSS) that is HIGHLY problematic and not your usual two child norm bill.
Here's why:

Apart from cliche incentivization and deincentivization to couples, the bill mandates the issuance of loans at higher than existing interest rates, lower interest rates on saving instruments, unpaid paternity & maternity leave for couples who contravene the norm.

If the individuals agree for sterilization, then they shall be provided with the emoluments of maternity/paternity leave. This is in contravention to sec. 5 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Besides, one can't put a gun of sterilization to your head to enforce your own right.

Now it gets more problematic here, the brunt of these benefits and reductions is not beared by the parents but also the children! The bill mandates free healthcare facility to single child until the age of 25; preference in admission in all educational institutions and govt. jobs

The fertility rate is heavily dependent on the region's literacy rate, provisions like these will only widen the existing disparity between the classes. Underprivileged are not privy to contraceptives or sex ed, this will create a vicious circle.

Also, why does the child have to bear the brunt of something they didn't have a say in? The child would also develop a feeling of resentment towards their parents which would further affect their mental healths.

In 1960, Indian women had a total fertility rate (TFR) of about 6, which had dropped to 2.2 by 2018. According to a survey, the expected TFR in 2021 could be 1.8!

Bill will ensure that women continue to be marginalised and excluded as the female infanticide is likely to worsen.

Women are already unable to refuse marriage or reproduction and are forced to adopt non-voluntary birth control methods. These practices will only worsen under a regulation that passively legitimises coerced sterilization.

India should explore increased public health spending that prioritises its citizens' health & education rather than a bill that punishes people for crimes they did not commit.