In a federal system, the sharing of Central resources with the States is a matter of considerable importance. In all cases where population is a factor as in the allocation of Central assistance to State plans, devolution of taxes and duties and grants-in-aid, the population figures of 1971 will continue to be followed till the year 2001. Family planning and population control is a subject in the Concurrent List, yet the implementation of the Family Welfare Programme is very much the responsibility of the State Government. Assistance for the implementation of the Programme is provided by the Central Government to the States on cent-per-cent basis. In order to ensure a purposeful implementation of the Family Welfare Programme the principle of linking 8 per cent of Central Assistance to the State Plans with their performance and success in Family Welfare Programme will be continued..

Population education has so far not received the attention it deserves. The NCERT has developed some models for the introduction of population education in the school education system. These models have already been adopted by the Central School Organization. We would urge that the departments of education in the states should adopt these models, or their modified versions, in the syllabus in the schools. Forty-two per cent of our population is below the age of 15 years. It is this population which will soon be entering in the area of matrimony. We must take steps without any further delay to see that the youth receive population education as part of their normal courses of study.