Population issues take back seat in polls: study

A leading think tank has expressed concern over population issues taking a back seat in this year's elections and said more focus needs to be given to address the problem which has a direct impact on the development of the country.

Population Foundation of India has issued a statement, saying that the country's population is expected to reach 124 crore in 2014 and the population growth rate has to be checked given the environment pressure, climate change and poverty.

The current population growth will lead to migration and unemployment, it said.

Though the overall population growth rate has declined since 1981, the rate is still high in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. These states account for 40 per cent of the total population at present.

These states suffer from low literacy rate, unequal treatment to women and high infant mortality rate, the statement said.

Therefore, the foundation said, priorities should be set for tackling these issues. The high rate of maternal and infant death has to be checked and the quality of health services needs to be improved.

The population programmes have to be linked with other development initiatives like health, education and poverty alleviation programmes.

The poor people should be empowered to help them have happy family by choice not through coercion or incentives or imposition of two-child norm.  The adolescent youths should get value based education, including sexual and reproductive health tips, the statement said.  

The political parties must deliberate on these issues which are of prime importance for the development of the nation, said the statement signed by governing body members of the organisation.