Bengaluru: The BJP unit of Karnataka is having a close look at the Uttar Pradesh government’s new population policy for 2021-2030 and has hinted at implementing a similar legislation in the state.
Law minister Basavaraj Bommai said a decision will be taken after extensive discussions on the subject.
The UP draft proposes to debar those having more than two children from contesting civic polls, applying for government jobs and availing subsidies. Also, it seeks to give promotions, increments, concessions in housing schemes and other perks to other employees. It also seeks to reduce maternal and infant deaths in a time-bound manner, besides ensuring better management of education, health and nutrition of those in the11-19 age group.
Taking the issue further, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi urged Karnataka to bring in a similar population control policy.
"It is high time Karnataka brought in a new population policy on the lines of Assam and Uttar Pradesh to control its growing population. With the limited natural resources available, it will be difficult to meet the needs of every citizen if there is a population explosion," Ravi tweeted.
Soon a war of words has erupted between Ravi and Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao. While Rao said that UP’s population control policy is coercive, Ravi asked if one should follow the "population control model" adopted by the Congress during the emergency.
Rao countered tweeting: "CT Ravi, Uttar Pradesh population control policy is coercive and has unintended consequences. Also Karnataka has a Fertility Rate of 1.7 which is below the replacement rate of 2.1. We're doing well without such unscientific policies, so please hold your thoughts."
Hitting back at Rao, Ravi said in another tweet: "If the Uttar Pradesh population control policy is coercive, should one follow the population control model adopted by Congress during the emergency? Should men who produce more than two children be sterilized forcibly? Will it have intended consequences, Dinesh Gundu Rao? Please clarify."
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