The BBC reported that the western state of Gujarat in India has proposed an expansive set of new laws that would provide special services for families with two or fewer children, while denying many common benefits to families with more than two children.
Gujarat’s population tops 50 million, and over the last ten years the state’s population grew by 22 percent. It would become the first state in India to penalize parents for having more than two children, though the northern state of Rajastahn is considering a similar proposal that would only apply to government workers.
Under the proposed legal changes, families with two or fewer children would have access to special facilities and benefits, while couples with more than two children would lose benefits including subsidized food, free education and health care. There is even speculation that maternity leaves and medical benefits might be denied for pregnancies in families that already have two or more children.
Women’s groups and some voluntary agencies opposed the law saying improved access to health care, education and an emphasis on family planning would do more than the proposed punitive measure.
Source:
Gujarat proposes to limit family size. The BBC, July 26, 2001.
I have reservations about the Healthcare Law. Can it create bad reprocussions to my families standard of living? Will the advances outweigh the negative aspects?