Supreme Court may hear plea to take up two-child norm

Supreme Court may hear plea to take up two-child norm

Context:

The Supreme Court may hear a plea to direct the Union government to adopt the “two-child” policy norm in family planning.

About the Petition:

• The public interest litigation petition has been filed by activist Anupam Bajpai
• The petition calls for incentives for couples who follow the “two-child” policy norm and punishment by withdrawal of government “facilities and concessions” for those who violate the norm
• The petition has asked the court to direct the Central government to “motivate the people of this country” to follow the two-child policy norm

The concern over rising population:

• According to the petition, the growing population has put immense pressure on natural resources.
• This has led to several problems which include land degradation, dangerous levels of pollution, global warming and the depletion of ground and surface water.