Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on PIL seeking implementation of two-child norm

Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to the Centre for the consideration of the implementation of a two-child norm as a criterion for government jobs, aids and subsidies to control the population explosion in the country.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Brijesh Sethi seeks reply of the Centre and said 'just tell us what steps have been taken on the report of the committee". The court slated the matter for next hearing on September 3.

Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, who is also associated with BJP, through this PIL sought direction to implement National Commission to Review the Working of Constitution (Venkatchaliah Commission) recommendation on Population Control.

The petition claimed, NCRWC submitted its detailed report to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government on March 31, 2002. The petitioner also seeks direction to the government to ascertain the feasibility of implementing 24th recommendation of NCRWC (Justice Venkatchaliah Commission) on Population Control that states may set two-child norm, as a criteria for government jobs, aids and subsidies, and, may withdraw statutory rights viz. right to vote, right to contest, right to property, right to free shelter, right to free legal aid etc.

The petition also urged that the government should be asked to declare the first Sunday of every month as a health day instead of polio day to spread awareness on population explosion and it should provide contraceptive pill, condoms, vaccines etc. to economically weaker section and Below Poverty line's families.

Upadhyay in the petition also sought direction to the Law Commission of India to prepare a comprehensive report on population explosion within three months and suggest the ways to control it.