(a) whether the Indian Institute for the Study of Population has given some suggestions to the Government for the proper implementation of the population policy of the country and to establish a technological mission in this regard;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the decision taken by the Government thereon?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) to (c) As per available information, no such communication has been received in the Department of Family Welfare. However, as envisaged in National Population Policy, 2000, an Empowered Action Group (EAG) has been constituted in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 20th March 2001 to facilitate formulation of area-specific strategies and programmes for the 8 demographically lagging States i.e. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare is the Chairman of the 28 member EAG while Secretaries of Departments of Family Welfare, Health, Finance, Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy, Elementary Education & Literacy, Women & Child Development and Rural Development; Health Secretaries of the 8 States; and the Director General of Health Services, Advisor (Health), Planning Commission etc, are members.