Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has proposed a minimum two-child eligibility rule for contesting local body elections. He emphasized that this measure is necessary to address the declining population growth rate in the state.
Speaking at a meeting in Naravaripalle, Chandrababu expressed concerns over the shrinking family sizes. He remarked, “Earlier, parents would have four or five children. Now, families are stopping at just one. Some are even opting for a double-income, no-kids lifestyle. If their parents had thought the same, they wouldn’t exist today.”
Highlighting the challenges posed by declining population growth, Naidu warned that India’s demographic dividend would last only until 2047, after which the aging population would increase significantly. He stressed the need for policies that encourage higher birth rates to prevent such issues.
Referring to Kuppam, where the birth rate has fallen to 1.5, well below the ideal rate of two, Chandrababu urged people to learn from countries like South Korea and Japan, which are facing economic and social challenges due to declining birth rates. Naidu suggested that introducing a two-child eligibility rule for local body elections could be an effective way to address this issue and ensure a stable demographic future for Andhra Pradesh.
