CRITICAL EVALUATION OF NPP

As said above, NPP 2000 has produced a paradigm shift in thinking on population issues. It has a rights based approach and aims at empowering women and vulnerable communities. Nobody has an issue with that. However, especially in the context of NRHM 2005-12, and Janani Suraksha Yojana, 2006 some believe that it has to some extent halted the declining trend in fertility in low performing states. The members of poor and vulnerable communities who get money for deliveries in the health facility are no more motivated to limit family size. To produce a baby is to get 1400 rupees in low performance states and 700 rupees (for BPL only) in high performing states plus money for transport which is much above the incentive or compensation for sterilization. Doctors at PHC say that people are more interested in producing babies than in family planning. Only the next census will tell whether these fears have come true.

Increase in institutional deliveries has also put a lot of pressure on health officials and health facilities. Staff position and health infrastructure have not changed but the number of deliveries has increased at a rate fast. This has led to deterioration in quality of services at most places. The staff is overworked, their number must be increased. More medicines, space, theatre facilities and equipment and materials need to be made available.