The Andhra Pradesh government has revoked the rule barring candidates with more than two children from contesting local body elections. This move, enacted through the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, signifies a transition from population control measures to a focus on inclusive governance.
Historical Context of the Two-Child Norm
Introduced in May 1994, the two-child norm mandated that individuals with over two children were ineligible to contest elections for Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads, and Zilla Parishads. The measure aimed to curb population growth. Over three decades later, with significant socio-economic and demographic changes, this restriction has been deemed outdated.
A Decline in Fertility Rates
Andhra Pradesh’s total fertility rate (TFR) currently stands at 1.7 children per woman, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21. This is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 children. Urban areas show even lower fertility rates at 1.47, while rural areas stand at 1.78. Over 77% of married women and 74% of men between the ages of 15 and 49 prefer to have no more children or are already sterilized.
The declining fertility rates prompted the state to reconsider policies designed to control population growth. According to the government, repealing these outdated rules aligns with global best practices and contemporary demographic trends.
Economic and Social Implications
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has advocated for incentivizing families to have more children. He emphasized that promoting higher birth rates is not only a demographic necessity but also an economic imperative in light of the declining fertility rates and population stabilization.
A Step Toward Inclusive Governance
The government stated that repealing the two-child norm would encourage inclusive governance, reflect evolving societal values, and support sustainable demographic trends. The move is expected to pave the way for broader representation in local body elections and adapt governance policies to meet contemporary challenges.
This policy shift marks a significant change in Andhra Pradesh’s approach to governance and demographic planning, with a renewed focus on aligning state policies with present-day realities.
