Don’t repeat mistakes of Japan, South Korea: CM Naidu cautions nation about falling birthrates

Kuppam: Flagging falling birthrates, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu cautioned that India should not repeat the mistakes committed by other countries such as South Korea and Japan.

Naidu said there should be a discussion in every home from tomorrow over birthrate and population management.

"We should not repeat the mistakes committed by other countries and be careful. Kuppam birth rate had dropped to 1.5. It should have been above two. South Korea plummeted to 0.9 (birth rate) while Japan is facing even bigger issues," said Naidu while unveiling the Kuppam Vision-2029 document in the Chittoor district here, aimed at the all-round development of the constituency.

Naidu represents the Kuppam segment in the assembly.

Akin to a similar vision at the state level, SwarnaAndhra@2047, the CM launched the vision of achieving a 'Swarna Kuppam' (golden Kuppam).

The CM said some couples are averse to having children nowadays because they do not want to share the money they earned and use those riches for their enjoyment.

"Had your parents also thought like that, would you have come into this world now? Everybody should have clarity on this matter," he said, reminding that childlessness was considered a stigma at one time.

Further, he noted that the world is a continuous process and society must go on unendingly.

In October last year, Naidu said there was a need to manage the population in Andhra Pradesh given that there will be an increase in the aging population.

"Till 2047, we will have the demographic dividend, there will be more youngsters. After 2047, there will be more old people if less than two children are given birth (per woman), then the population will reduce. If you (each woman) give birth to more than two children, then the population will increase," Naidu had said.

Encompassing 'Padu Sutralu' (10 principles), Kuppam Vision-2029 aims to achieve zero poverty. These principles aim to create employment, manage the population, skill development, water security, fulfill farmers' aspirations, and adopt deep tech in all walks of life and others.

Moreover, Naidu noted that the government will focus on skilling, education, and other initiatives for developing Kuppam.

Later, the TDP supremo launched a pilot project on PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana scheme at Nadimuru village in Kuppam constituency.

Under this scheme, the CM said every house in the constituency will be provided with solar panels at a 100 percent subsidy to supply power, and added that the government has decided to extend this program across the state.

Naidu said the scheme offers a subsidy at the rate of Rs 30,000 per kilowatt and beneficiaries can avail this facility for up to 2 kilowatts. However, it will cost Rs 1.2 lakh to set up a 2 kilo-watt solar power unit, which can generate up to 200 units of power per month, enabling consumers to meet their needs and supply excess power to the grid, among other benefits.

Emphasizing that he gives primacy to solar and wind power, the CM said generating power in these two formats will slash tariffs.