Azad slams Kerala panel's suggestion on two-child norm
Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today termed as ''ridiculous'' the suggestion by a Kerala government panel to restrict entitlement of grants to those who adopt the two-child norm, saying the states cannot provide facilities on the basis of how many children a family has.
"It is not being implemented anywhere. Anybody can say anything but the state will not provide on the basis of number of children a family has. It is not possible. It is ridiculous.
"Anybody can say anything but the state will not do anything like this," Azad told reporters on the sidelines of annual general meeting of Indian Red Cross Society here.
The V R Krishna Iyer Commission for the Rights and Welfare of Children and Women set up by Kerala government had last week in its report suggested restriction of entitlement to state grants to only those who adopt the two-child norm.
The Commission also suggested that Rs 50,000 should be paid to women from BPL category, who marry after the age of 19 and have their first child only after attaining 20 years.
The report has come under severe criticism from various sections of society.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said the recommendations of the Commission would be examined in-depth.
