Two is enough, Iyer insists

KOCHI: Couples, better limit the number of your children to two. Otherwise you are in for hard times. This is the implication of the population policy suggested by the Commission on Rights and Welfare of Women and Children headed by Justice V R Krishna Iyer who  submitted the report to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Saturday. It insisted that every married couple should restrict the number of children to two and those who conform to this norm should be entitled to avail of  additional facilities and benefits from the government. This includes a cash incentive of up to Rs 50,000 to women who marry after the age of 19 and have their first child after the age of 20. Those who do not conform to the same will not be eligible to obtain any benefits  from the state.Wilful indifference towards this rule and frequent violation will lead to a fine of Rs 10,000 or up to three months’  imprisonment. The report has reasoned that such measures need to be taken since the state has a duty to implement the national population policy. The commission has also suggested that all hospitals should facilitate free abortion to ensure safety and that medically safe contraceptives should be made accessible free to married couples by the district medical officer.Another provision suggested is that the state appoint a marriage officer to avoid the gruelling wait endured by couples who have applied for divorce at family courts. The marriage officer will have the power to grant divorce without the interference of family courts.Humane treatment and proper rehabilitation to victims of sexual abuse is another aspect of the commission’s report.