Madras HC dismisses PIL on "One Family, One Child Scheme"

Madurai: The Madras High court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking a direction to the Centre and the State to form a separate population control department with powers to cancel all government benefits of those who violate "One Family, One Child Scheme."

Justices R Sudhakar and V M Velumani of the Madurai Bench said issues like family planning were the policy issues of the Government and the Court could not interfere in such matters, and dismissed the PIL. The petitioner K K Ramesh, Managing Trustee for `Centre for Public Interest Litigation`, had filed the plea before the Division bench of the HC seeking a direction to Union Secretaries of Home, HRD, and Public Grievances and Pension, and state Chief Secretary to form a separate Population Control Department or Committee with powers to cancel all government benefits including subsidies for those who violated "One Family, One Child Scheme." He alleged that an increasing population was causing various problems such as poverty and hunger. It had also led to the failure of various five year plans,and deterioration of economic development. Many countries including China were following "One family, one child" policy, and Indian government should also adopt the same policy, the petitioner submitted. The government should carry out awareness programme on a large-scale, and implement the "one family one child" policy strictly for economic development, he said.