The National Population Policy 2000 announced
by the Government is well conceived, lucidly
articulated and sets well the direction for the
future course population programmes in the country.
The objectives of the policy in terms of immediate,
medium and long term goals are clearly stated though
these appear to be over ambitious.
The setting up of institutional structures to guide and
monitor the implementation of the policy is an excellent
idea. It should be ensured that the structures do not
become bureaucratic over layers to the existing
bureaucracy offering merely employment opportunities
to retiring or retired civil servants without commitment
to the goals.
The major thrust areas of the policy are in expanding
the coverage and improving the efficiency of
reproductive health services including contraceptive
services; active involvement of the locally elected
bodies mainly the Panchayats in the implementation
of programmes,
and special schemes for
empowerment of women especially in improving their
literacy and educational levels and provision of income
generating activities for them. These are large
programmes needing not only additional financial
commitment but also committed leadership at the
state and the local levels sharing the national objectives
contained in the policy.
There is a need for a change in the mindset of the
leaders to understand the significance of democratic
decentralisation, provision of good quality reproductive
health and contraceptive services and empowerment
of women in the society. Problems could arise between
the states and the centre in the implementation of the
policy. Three states, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and
Madhya Pradesh have already prepared their own
state level population policies. Maharashtra and Uttar
Pradesh are in the process of finalising their policies.
Many other states are likely to follow suit. In case the
state policy has elements contradictory to the central
policy, what will happen? Similarly, the extent of
delegation of powers and responsibilities including
allocation of financial resources to the Panchayats
depend on the state governments. Ultimately, family
planning and provision of basic health care is the
responsibility of the Panchayats and Nagar Palikas.
If these locally elected institutions are not adequately
empowered with facilities for training of its members,
adequate funding, population policies at the state and
the central levels may be only pious hopes.
On the whole, the NPP 2000 seems to be a good and
balanced document worth pursuing with vigour and
enthusiasm at the state, central and local levels. The
country will be better off in sincerely implementing
this policy without splitting hairs on the nitty-gritty on
some of the controversial elements. Controversies
on incentives and disincentives should not cloud our
pursuit of overall development goals, which are closely
linked to realisation of population goals. Failure of
many developmental programmes in India in the past
has not been due to lack of well-articulated policies
but due to poor implementation of such policies. NPP
2000 should not be allowed to fail on such grounds.
NSS Volunteers Trained at Bareilly
A three
day training
programme was organised
for NSS Programme Officers
to involve
information
awareness
NSS Volunteers in
dissemination and
generation
about
and Master Volunteers at Bareilly population issues. The project is
from January 15 to January 17, supported by PFI.
2000 by M.J.P. Rohilkhand
University, Bareilly. Programme Three senior executives of PFI, Dr.
Officers from two units of Bareilly Amita Bardhan, Senior Consultant, Dr.
College, Bareilly attended the Sanjay Kumar, Programme Officer and
programme. They included Dr. Janak Dr. Sharmila Ghosh Neogi,
Singh, Dr. Purnima Anil, Dr. C P Programme Officer conducted the
Pandey, Dr. Sadhna Agrawal and various training sessions.
Dr. Hariom Sharma along with five
Master Volunteers.
A field visit for the trainees was
organised on the last day of the
Dr. Priya Singh, Chief Medical programme and a work plan was
Superintendent of Women's Hospital, chalked out to meet the objectives
Bareilly was the chief guest while of the programme. Some of the
Registrar of M.J.P. Rohilkhand objectives included selecting five
University, Dr. K N Pandey was the villages by each core unit, selecting
special guest. Dr. S P Gupta, Vice one Jan Mangal couple from each
Principal, Bareilly College, Bareilly village and 50 volunteers from each
chaired the function. Dr. K C Dubey, unit and providing training to both
Coordinator
of NSS, M.J.P. under the supervision of Programme
Rohilkhand University welcomed the Officers and Master Volunteers. 10
guests and gave out the salient Volunteers from each selected village
features of the project which is meant would survey the villages with the
help of Jan Mangal
couples. Members of 20
chosen houses will be
given
information
regarding population,
family planning and
mother and child care
with the help of ANMs.
Periodic visits will be made
to the vi llages to collect
information and problems
pertaining to the project
A view of the inaugural function of training for NSS
Programme Officers and Master Volunteers held at Bareilly.
would be analysed. :II: