Speech of Hon’ble Chief Minister on World Population Day at Jayadev Bhawan on 11th July, 2013

      I am glad to be here today to attend the observance of World Population Day.  I thank the Health & Family Welfare Department, UNFPA officials and all other stakeholders for their sincere efforts in addressing family planning and population issues.

        People of a country are considered to be its most precious resources called human resources; however, unrestrained burgeoning of population lead to many serious socio-economic problems.  The population of India as per 2011 census is more than 1.2 billion.  It is anticipated that our population will surpass the population of China in about 20 to 30 years from now making us the most populous nation in the world.  Large population has been creating an incredible stress on our resources, environment and society.  Therefore, the issues of population must be addressed with appropriate democratic approach.

        The population of Odisha as per 2011 census is a little more than 4.2 crore.  The Odisha Census Report suggests that we are moving in the right direction in addressing our population issues.  The growth rate of population has declined and the sex ratio has improved.  This will certainly be a boost to strengthening of our efforts for population stabilization.

        This year July 11 is very special to all of us in many ways as we take this opportunity to bring back the focus on “family planning” by initiating efforts to observe a fortnight long campaign called ‘Population Stabilization Fortnight’ from 11^th  to 24^th July in the entire state.  This is obviously indicative of our priority on family planning as an important health issue.

        Population stabilization movement in Odisha started in 2010, and I take the pleasure in announcing that our state has significantly improved in family planning services delivery, both in quality and quantity since then.    The Total Fertility Rate, one of the most important indicators that decide the success of family planning programme and population stabilization initiative has significantly declined in Odisha to 2.2, very close to a desired level of 2.1.    Our fertility rate of 2.2 is significantly lower than the national average of 2.7. However, our unmet need continues to be high in some high fertility districts.  Therefore, we need to intensify our programme with a focused and time bound manner to achieve the dream of complete stabilization of population.

        We have taken a number of steps for improved family planning services like extensive capacity building of family planning service providers, observance of “Parivar Kalyan Divas” on Monday, rigorous persuasion and motivation methods by field level workers and institutional service providers.  This year’s plan includes various interventions to promote limiting methods which will lead to population stabilization.  We are ensuring that all ASHAs get effectively engaged in updating eligible couple register to identify target couples and sensitize them to accept need based family planning services.

        Population is a bigger and broader issue.  Our initiatives for a better socio-economic life should be suitably supported by parallel initiatives for population stabilization.  Therefore, I appeal all the stakeholders to step up there efforts to achieve our desired goal in a shorter span of time.

N.B. -  During the function, the Chief Minister awarded best performing districts, NGO and felicitated best performing surgeons.  Among other the meeting was attended by Minister, Dr. Damodar Rout, Principal Secretary, H & FW Shri P.k. Mohapatra and other senior officers.