Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Empowerment key to population control: PM

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has said that any element of coercion should be avoided from the policies aimed at population control. Releasing the 'Advocacy Briefing Kit' prepared by Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population & Development (IAPPD), the Prime Minister said that through awareness and education, especially among women, people may be encouraged to make sensible reproductive choices. Any policy in this regard should aim to empower people, especially women to take charge of their destiny. "Development is ultimately about people, it is about widening human choices, and giving them control of their lives", he added.

Describing population issue as a human development problem, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to create an environment where basic indicators of community health were strong and infant mortality rate was under control. Dr. Singh referred to the 'Kerala experience' for underlining the role of sensible policies and education in stabilising population and reducing infant morality rate.

Union Health Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss, who received the Kit from the Prime Minister, said that education and awareness form the cornerstone of population control policies. "National Rural Health Mission also aims to tackle these issues with the help of grassroot institutions. With proper awareness and education, health budget could be substantially reduced and resources could be utilised in a better way", Dr. Ramdoss added.

Shri P.J. Kurien, Vice Chairman of IAPPD along with other Members of Parliament was also present on the occasion.