The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to eliminate the two-child norm for individuals contesting local body elections. This decision was made in response to the state's declining fertility rate as discussed during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday.


The Cabinet approved the repeal of amendments made in 1994 to the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act of 1955 and the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act of 1965. These amendments had previously barred individuals with more than two children from contesting in urban local body elections. While the restriction for Panchayat Raj elections was lifted in 2019, it had remained in effect for other local bodies, according to a report on IANS.


Information and Public Relations Minister K. Parthasarathi informed the media that the Cabinet's decision was influenced by the state's declining fertility rate and the need to address social and economic factors related to population stabilization and balance.


The Cabinet noted that while the national fertility rate stands at 21 percent, Andhra Pradesh's rate is only 15 percent. Currently, the average male reproductive age in the state is 32.5 years, projected to increase to 40 by 2047. Similarly, the female reproductive age is now 29 years, expected to rise to 58 by 2047. This demographic shift could significantly reduce the number of individuals contributing to economic development, as per the report.


Additionally, the state's aging population is a concern. Currently, 11 percent of Andhra Pradesh's population is aged above 60 years, a figure expected to rise to 19 percent by 2047. Nationally, this number is projected to increase from the current 10 percent to 15 percent by 2047.





 







Earlier this year, the Supreme Court upheld the Rajasthan government's two-child eligibility criterion for public employment, ruling that it is neither discriminatory nor in violation of the Constitution.


The Rajasthan Various Service (Amendment) Rules, 2001, prohibit candidates with more than two children from applying for government jobs.





ALSO READ: Andhra CM Orders Revival Of TDP-Era Projects Scrapped By Jagan Govt