Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday stated that the state government is considering introducing a Rs 25,000 birth incentive for couples from their second child onwards as part of efforts to address the declining birth rate. Speaking in the Assembly, Naidu explained that the government aims to raise Andhra Pradesh’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from the current level of 1.5, which is below the replacement rate, to 2.1.
He said, “We are looking at a novel method. We will give Rs 25,000 to parents having a second child or more at the time of delivery itself. This will be a big game-changer. If we can do it, it will be very useful.”
Emphasizing the significance of population management, the Chief Minister pointed out that many countries are facing challenges due to ageing populations and declining fertility rates.
He added that the government plans to formulate a comprehensive policy on population management by the end of March and intends to implement it starting in April, aiming to ensure a balanced demographic structure for the state in the coming years.
