Assam’s suggestion of implementing a two-child policy is not only “unnecessary” but is also “anti-women” and “anti-poor”. “Assam’s total fertility rate (TFR) at 2.2 is not too far from India’s replacement level fertility, which is 2.1. Therefore, the suggestion of implementing a two-child policy would not only be unnecessary but also grossly severe,” Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director, Population Foundation of India, was reported as saying on 28 April.
“In the past, in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh when the law in these states debarred women with more than two children from contesting panchayat elections, we saw an increase in sex-selective abortions, women being deserted, and women giving their children up for adoption,” she said.