Two-child norm scrapped: Telangana minister cites low fertility rate; panchayat poll rules reset

NEW DELHI: The Telangana legislative assembly has passed a bill that scraps the "two-child norm" that barred individuals with more than two children from contesting in the local body elections.Panchayat raj minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, citing the state's declining fertility rate, lower than the replacement rate, argued that the provision had outlived its relevance. She stated that the two-child norm was implemented in 1994 as a population control measure to address concerns such as food security, unemployment, and poverty arising from the population surge of the 1980s and 1990s.She said the government reviewed the population policy nearly three decades after it was enacted, noting that demographic trends had undergone significant changes. The fertility rate in rural Telangana currently stands at 1.7, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1, and if it continues at this level, it could adversely impact the state’s long-term demographic balance.The minister said the government believes maintaining the replacement fertility rate is essential for the future of the coming generations. The decision was taken after considering the views of representatives of Panchayat Raj institutions, she added.Observing that citizens are now opting for smaller families, Seethakka cautioned that a steep decline in population growth could lead to undesirable consequences.She said the government is proposing amendments to the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, both to address the declining fertility rate and to facilitate the conduct of local body elections.The bill was later passed by the Telangana assembly, replacing an ordinance that had been promulgated earlier for the same purpose.