Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed concern over decreasing birth rate, especially in South India. He recalled that once we felt that population control was necessary, but now we have a situation where we need to increase the population.
Speaking at the ‘Population Dynamics Conference’ organized by SRM University in Amaravati, he cautioned that if the population decreases, our seats in the legislatures will also decrease. However, he made it clear that the country is more important than seats. He said that the more people there are in a family, the more welfare we will get.
Chandrababu Naidu said that ‘The population is decreasing all over the world. In some countries, the elderly are increasing. Although development is better in South India, the birth rate is decreasing’.
“Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are saving us in terms of population. Japan and Germany are asking for population. If our population increases, Indians will increase in all countries. After another 20 years, there will be a situation where Indians will be seen wherever we go”, he added.
If the birth rate in AP is 1.5, he recalled that it is 1.5 in Maharashtra, 1.4 in Kerala, and 1.4 in Tamil Nadu. He asserted that the birth rate in the state should increase from 1.5 to 2.1. “Even retired people should be able to work. If they work at least three to four hours a day, productivity will increase”, he said.
Chandrababu said that the trend in society has changed and there is a situation where double income is needed. ”There should be a discussion on population growth. In the past, I brought a bill that said that those with more than two children were ineligible to compete in local bodies. We recently repealed it”, he said.
In the future, the Chief Minister predicted that a law should be passed that would make it eligible for competition in local bodies only if they had more than two children. “In the past, maternity leave was limited to two deliveries. Now, we will give leave based on how many children there were. We will also change the rule that a maximum of 25 kg of rice should be given to a household,” he added.
CM Chandrababu asked all students that they should grow up to be global leaders. ”I was born in a remote area. There are not even 30 houses in my village. But, I have been constantly changing my life. The Chancellor of SRM University has also risen from an ordinary teacher to the level of founding a university. You should also rise to high positions”, he said.
“Study whenever you like. But when you study, study with concentration. SRM University should adopt 10,000 families and provide them with support in terms of education and employment,” Chandrababu suggested.
The CM said that in the coming month and a half, the foundation stone for works worth Rs. 1 lakh crore will be laid in Amaravati. He said that these constructions will be completed in three years.
