- Chandrababu Naidu announces incentives for larger families
- Andhra Pradesh government to offer cash support for third and fourth child
- CM cites declining birth rates and demographic concerns
- Opposition questions absence of national population policy
GG News Bureau
Amravati, 17th May: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced cash incentives for families having more children, stating that the Government of Andhra Pradesh would provide ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child.
Addressing a public event in Narsannapeta in Srikakulam district, the Telugu Desam Party chief said changing demographic trends and falling birth rates had prompted a rethink on family planning policies.
“In the past, I worked towards family planning. But today, once again, children are our wealth,” Naidu said while announcing the incentives.
The Chief Minister said maintaining a replacement-level Total Fertility Rate of 2.1 children per woman was essential for population stability and warned against demographic decline similar to that seen in countries like Japan and South Korea.
Naidu also said rising income levels were leading many couples to opt for only one child, while some families were choosing a second child only if the firstborn was a girl.
The announcement triggered criticism from opposition leaders, who linked the move to debates around the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats and concerns among southern states over future political representation.
Karti Chidambaram reacted to the announcement on social media with a brief post stating, “Seriously?”
Alok Sharma questioned why the Centre had not introduced a national family planning or population control policy despite ongoing discussions on Lok Sabha seat expansion.
He said concerns had emerged in southern states that lower population growth could reduce their representation in Parliament in the future.
The ruling TDP’s ally at the Centre is the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Meanwhile, Karthik Yellapragada criticised the announcement, calling it a political distraction from what he described as the failures of the TDP-led government in Andhra Pradesh.
He alleged that the government was making promises without a clear financial roadmap while failing to address employment, welfare and economic stability issues.
The Andhra Pradesh government has not yet announced details regarding implementation timelines or eligibility criteria for the proposed incentives.
