Challenges of Population Explosion
India is predicted to have overtaken China as the world's most populous
nation by 2050. In an already overcrowded world, richer countries are being
asked to share responsibility for the problem of this population explosion,
which to a large extent is due to poverty. The growth rate of
population is a function of migration, birth rate and death rate in a country.
The difference between the birth rate and the death rate measures the growth
rate of population. According to estimates, Indian population has risen
1,270,272,105 (1.27 billion) out of which female constitute 614,397,079 (614.4 million), male 655,875,026
(655.8 million) and tribal 104,281,034. The high population growth rates are
due to high birth rate and fast declining death rates due to better sanitation
and health facilities. However, the capacities to absorb increasing manpower
are much weaker. Furthermore, the process of economic development tends to be
more capital intensive under modern technological conditions, and hence, has
less potential of employment generation in the short run. Since the total size
of the population is already large, there is urgency for speedy achievement of
demographic transition from high birth rate to low birth rate resulting in
lower population growth. The effects of the rapid population growth in
India like providing employment to growing population, problem of
utilisation of manpower, over-strained infrastructure, pressure on land and
other renewable natural resources, increased cost of production and Inequitable
distribution of income are hindering with development of the country. World
Population Day is being observed on 11th July across the World
every year.
POPULATION AND SEX RATIO
Sex ratio is an important parameter that reflects the status of women in
society. Some of the worst gender ratios, indicating gross violation of women’s
rights are found in south and East Asian countries such as India and China. In
India sex-ratio is declining reaching upto 928:1000. But more important and
serious thing is that with social, educational, economic development, it is
declining. In 2011 Census it is seen that in all states except Bihar, Gujarat
and Jammu Kashmir the sex ratio is increased, it is also increased in UTs
except Dadra & Haveli and Daman & Diu. Female Mortality Rate is
observed to be very low in most of parts of Northern India. But comparatively
sex ratio is high in Southern States of India. Reasons for neglect
of girl child and low levels of sex ratio are son preference, low status of
women, social and financial security associated with sons, socio-cultural
practices including dowry and violence against women. Small family norm may be
a catalyst in the declining child sex ratio.
POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT
The United Nations Conference on the
Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972 (United Nations, 1973) stated that
the growth of population in certain areas, through both net migration and
national increase, had accelerated the rates that could frustrate all the
efforts to conquer poverty and underdevelopment and to maintain a safe and
stable environment. The unprecedented consensus at the ICPD in 1994 squarely
underscored the complex interrelationships between population, sustained
economic growth, poverty and the environment. The programme of action stressed
the need for integrating population and environment issues in planning and
decision-making and for modifying unsustainable consumption and production
patterns in order to foster sustainable resource use and prevent environmental
degradation. It is also called for the implementation of policies to address
the ecological implications of population dynamics. Rapid population growth and
poverty in country is adversely affecting the environment. As the 21st century
begins, growing number of people and rising levels of consumption per capita
are depleting natural resources and degrading the environment. In India, the
rapid increase of population combines with desperate poverty to deplete and
pollute local resource bases on which the livelihood of present and future generations
depends. Though the relationship is complex, population size and growth tend to
expand and accelerate these human impacts on the environment. What is more
concern, the number of population rise will increase to such an extent in
future that it will cause overall scarcity for resources. India is having 18
percent of the world's population on 2.4 percent of its land area has great
deal of pressure on its all natural resources.
NATIONAL POPULATION POLICY, 2000
The National Population Policy was announced on February 15, 2000
with objectives aimed at meeting the needs for
contraception, health care infrastructure, health personnel and integrated
service delivery. The mid-term objectives are outlined as aimed at bringing the
total fertility to replacement levels ⎯ two children per couple ⎯ by a vigorous implementation of inter-sectoral
strategies. The long-term objective is stabilisation of population for
2045. The policy has outlined 16 promotional and motivational measures to
implement it vigorously. Among these, the more important are reward Panchayats
and Zila Parishads for promoting small family norm, strict enforcement of Child
Marriage Restraint Act and Pre-natal Diagnostics Techniques Act, Health
insurance covers of Rs. 5,000 for couples below poverty line, with two living
children, who undergo sterilisation and rewards for couples below poverty
line, who marry after legal age, have first child after the mother reaches 21,
accept small family norm and undergo sterilisation after birth of two children.
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON POPULATION
National Commission on Population was constituted in May
2000. It is chaired by the Prime Minister with the Deputy Chairman Planning
Commission as Vice Chairman. Chief Ministers of all states, Ministers of the
related Central Ministries, secretaries of the concerned Departments, eminent
physicians, demographers and the representatives of the civil society are
Members of the Commission. The Commission has the mandate to review,
monitor and give direction for implementation of the National Population Policy
with the view to achieve the goals set in the Population Policy, promote
synergy between health, educational environmental and developmental programmes
so as to hasten population stabilization, promote inter sectoral coordination
in planning and implementation of the programmes through different sectors and
agencies in center and the statesand develop a vigorous peoples programme
to support this national effort. The National Population Stabilisation
Fund was constituted under the National Commission on Population in
July 2000. Subsequently it was transferred to the Department of Health and
Family Welfare in April 2002.
POPULATION AND FOOD SECURITY
The National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act) is an Act
of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to
approximately two thirds of India's 1.2 billion people. Under the provisions of
the bill, beneficiaries are to be able to purchase 5 kilograms per eligible
person per month of cereals rice at INR3 (5.0¢ US) per kg, wheat at INR2 (3.4¢
US) per kg and coarse grains (millet) at INR1 (1.7¢ US) per kg. Prices.
Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and certain categories of children are
eligible for daily free meals. Every State will have to chalk out its own
strategies for sustainable livelihood to move on the path of sustainable food
production and sustainable livelihood security. This calls for sound policies
and investments in natural resources such as land and water, flora and fauna, forests
and biodiversity -- the ecological foundations essential for sustainable food
security - plus sustainable intensification of crop and animal
production. Population pressures and the forces of atmosphere and
climate change must also be taken into account. Food security has three
components. The first is food availability, which depends on food production
and imports. The second is food access, which depends on purchasing power. The
third, food absorption, is a function of safe drinking water, environmental
hygiene, primary health care and education.
STRATEGIES FOR DELAYED MONSOON
Several measures are taken up to deal delayed monsoon. Some of them are
a sound seed production and storage plan, seeds of alternate crops and
varieties that can be sown in case of delayed monsoon, Ensure availability
of breeder seed of contingency crops/varieties which are not normally in the
seed chain, Village level seed banks (crop and fodder), Adoption of
drought and flood tolerant crop varieties in vulnerable, Availability of
inputs related to nutrient management, Large scale demonstrations of
climate resilient agronomic practices to create awareness and promote
widespread adoption by farmers at block level, planting of millets, cotton,
pulses and oilseed crops in ridge-furrow or raised bed systems to ensure
adequate drainage in case of excess rains, Promotion of farm implements on
custom hiring basis or purchase.
POPULATION AND HEALTH CARE
As per industry reports, healthcare
is poised to grow at an estimated annual rate of 19 per cent to reach USD 280
billion by 2020 with India being recognized as a destination for world class
healthcare. During the last decade the private sector grew to become the major
provider of healthcare services. Its share of beds increased from 49 per cent
in 2002 to 63 per cent in 2010. The Indian government has also introduced
several reforms. The 11th and 12th Five Year Plans and international focus on
the Millennium Development Goals have led to successes, especially in the
primary health area – maternal and child health, and infectious diseases. The
National Rural Health Mission has achieved efficiency and health system
reforms, while the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) - a national social
health insurance scheme - has aimed to cover in-patient treatment, possibly
making quality healthcare and private sector facilities accessible to the poor.
The All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are a group of autonomous
public medical colleges of higher education. Apart from AIIMS New Delhi,
established in 1956, there are six AIIMS institute at Bhopal, Bhubaneshar,
Jodhpur, Patna, Rishikesh and Raipur.
National Health Policy was formulated by Central Government in 2002. The social
obligation for the government to ensure the highest possible health status of
its population and as part of this, ensure that all people have access to
quality health care has been recognized by a number of key policy documents.
The policy directions of the Health for All declaration became stated policy of
Government of India with the adoption of the National Health Policy Statement
of 1983. Driven by this declaration there was some expansion of primary health
care in the eighties. Further, the National Health Policy of 2002 and the
Report of the Macro- Economic Commission on Health and Development (2005) were
to emphasize a) the need to increase the total public health expenditure from 2
to 3% of the GDP, b) the need to strengthen the role of public sector in social
protection against the rising costs of health care and the need to provide a
comprehensive package of services without reducing the prioritization given to
women and children’s health. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was
launched on 12th April 2005 to provide accessible, affordable
and quality health care to the rural population, especially the vulnerable
groups. The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as a sub-mission of National
Health Mission (NHM) will meet health needs of the urban population with the
focus on urban poor, by making available to them essential primary health care
services and reducing out of pocket expenses for treatment.
POPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT
As estimated by the World Bank, India
is one of the few countries of the world where the working age population will
be far in excess of those who will no longer be able to work. Unemployment
records in India are kept by the Ministry of Labour and Employment of India.
From 1983 till 2011, Unemployment rates in India averaged 7.6 percent reaching
an all-time high of 9.4 percent in December 2010 and a record low of 3.8
Percent in December 2011. In India, the unemployment rate measures the number
of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. The
number of unemployed persons in India decreased to 39963 thousand in 2009 from
39974 thousand in 2007. Unemployed persons in India and kenya averaged 36933
thousand from 1985 until 2009, reaching an all-time high of 41750 thousand in
2001 and a record low of 24861 thousand in 1985. In India, unemployed persons
are individuals who are without a job and actively seeking to work. India has a
Gini coefficient of 36.8. According to NSS(66th round) Report
from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India
published on 2013 Kerala has the highest unemployment rates and ranks worst,
while Rajasthan and Gujarat has the least unemployment rate among major States
of India. National average for unemployment rate stands at 50.
POPULATION AND SKILLED LABOUR
Beyond doubt, our youth power is one of the most important assets for
economic development! India’s demographic dividend is a one-time window of
opportunity that cannot afford to be missed; failing is not an option, for that
would be a national disaster. Almost 40% of India’s workforce had received no
formal training. Thus, a large section of India’s population is
virtually unemployable, or can function as unskilled workers. The other side of
this situation is that the Indian industry is facing a shortage of skilled
labour despite the bulge in workforce. This shortage is affecting the economy
across both manufacturing and services sectors. For example it has been
estimated that the Construction sector, on which almost 6% of the country’s
workforce depends for livelihood, is facing a 30% percent labour shortage.
Rough back of the hand calculations indicate that addressing the skill gap
shortage in Construction alone could add USD 20 billion to the Indian economy.
In order to tackle the situation steps like skilling of the new entrants to the
workforce, up skilling of workers for higher or new skills and
recognizing informal ‘on the job’ training of existing workers are need of the
hour. The last is especially important given over 92% of India’s labour market
is unorganized.
POPULATION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION
The Government recognises that high growth of incomes is by itself not
enough to improve the quality of life of the poor. Unless all the citizens of
the country, and most particularly the poor, have certain basic minimum
services, their living conditions cannot improve. These minimum services
include among other things literacy education, primary health care, safe
drinking water and nutritional security. The Government had convened a meeting
of Chief Ministers to identify such basic minimum services and a list of seven
services had unanimously been agreed upon. These seven services are safe
drinking water, primary health facilities, universal primary education,
nutrition to school and pre-school children, shelter for the poor, road
connectivity for all villages and habitations, and the Public Distribution
System (PDS) with a focus on the poor. The Ninth Plan lays special emphasis on
these seven basic minimum services and will make all efforts to achieve a
minimum level of satisfaction in providing these in partnership with the State
Governments and the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The Integrated
Rural Development Programme (IRDP) aims at providing self-employment
to the rural poor through acquisition of productive assets or appropriate
skills which would generate additional income on a sustained basis to enable
them to cross the poverty line. Other programmes like National Old Age
Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), National
Maternity Benefit Scheme, Annapurna, Integrated Rural Development programme,
Rural Housing-Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)(initiated in 1985), Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) were also
initiated to control poverty in India.
The introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds and the increased
use of chemical fertilizers and irrigation are known collectively as the Green
Revolution, which provided the increase in production needed to make India
self-sufficient in food grains, thus improving agriculture in India.
POVERTY LINE DETERMINATION
One in three Indians lives below the poverty line according to the
Tendulkar Committee report which used a measurement of goods and services,
rather than calorie intake, to calculate poverty. A new method to draw the
‘poverty line’ has resulted in an increase in the number of
people living below the poverty line in India, from 27.5% of
the population to 37.2%, that is, an increase of 10% for
2004-05. A committee headed by economist Suresh
Tendulkar has drawn up a new formula for assessing poverty,
which it has submitted to the Planning Commission. The
Dandekar-Rath poverty line formula that has been used since 1971 measures
only the calorie content of an Indian’s diet. If it is lower
than 2250 calories per person per day, the person is declared
to be under the poverty line. This norm was not revised in 35
years. The Tendulkar Committee replaces the calorie
measurement by a cost-of-living index, that is, how much money
a person spends. It looks at a basket of household goods and
services such as health and education. The new poverty
line is different for different states and also different for
rural and urban areas within a state. The all-India
average rural poverty line is set at a monthly expenditure of Rs 446.68 a
month; the national urban poverty line at Rs 578.8 a month.
Goa’s rural poverty line is the highest, pegged at Rs 608.76 a
month; Delhi’s is Rs 541. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in
collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), have developed
‘Frequently Asked Questions’ about the PNDT Act which will be useful to the
people. This helps for stabilization of population. National Helpline
service on reproductive health, mother health, child health, sexual
health, adolescents health, infertility, contraception, and family planning
etc. aims to reach out to adolescent, about to be married and newly married
couples and who do not have easy access to reliable information on the above
issues.
*World Population Day is being observed on 11th July
across the World every year.
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