The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Centre to take a decision on a representation seeking an effective and uniform population control policy and declaring the first Sunday of every month as ‘Health Day’.
A Bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to consider a representation put forth by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, who is also a BJP spokesperson.
Mr. Upadhyay, who had made a representation before the Ministry on June 20, urged the government to declare the first Sunday of every month as ‘Health Day’ in order to educate and sensitise people about the ill-effects of population explosion. He also sought the provision of essential vaccines and contraceptive pills free of cost to the economically weaker section.
Educating children
The petition also suggested that a chapter on the ill-effects of population explosion be introduced in the school curriculum for children between 6 and 14 years of age.
Mr. Upadhyay also stressed on the need for a “comprehensive, effective and uniform population control policy and expediting the implementation of ‘National Population Policy-2000’ and ‘National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution’ recommendation.”
According to the advocate, population explosion has become the greatest menace for India. He said that as per Article 47 of the Constitution, it is the duty of the State to endeavour to secure control of population by means of education and implementation of small family norms.
Sound planning
He also relied on the report of Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, chairperson of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, which said that “proper planning and monitoring of the socio-economic development of the country is considerably hampered and neutralised by the exponential growth of population”.
The Court disposed of the petition with liberty to Mr. Upadhyay to file a fresh petition if the government does not take appropriate action.
