Evaluation Report on Family Planning Programme PEO Pub No. 135

Abstract

Although the Family Planning Programme has been in operation in the country for over three decades now it has a vital and continuing importance both from the standpoint of the need to control and stabilise the Growth of population and of enhancing the welfare impact of further economic development. It has been adopted as a national programme by the Government of India, The promotion of family planning on a voluntary basis as a people’s movement was also one of the points included in the New 20-Point Programme announced by the late Prime Minister Shrimati Indira Gandhi on 14th January, 1982- In view of the importance of this programme the Planning Commission suggested to its Programme Evaluation Organisation(PEO) to undertake another evaluation study on the working of this programme. The present evaluation study was accordingly planned and launched in the field in January, 1983 with the following as its main objectives : (i) to study the organisational set up for the implementation of the programme, particularly for educating and motivating the people; (ii) to examine the communication strategy adopted in terms of creating awareness, change in attitude and adoption of family planning methods, and popularising the concept of “small family norm , (iii) to assess the extent of service facilities and supplies made available and their utilisation; (iv) to understand the constraints experienced and problems faced in the implementation of the programme; (y) toasscss the role played by voluntary organisations in promoting the programme as a people's movement ; and (vi) to assess the views and reactions of the adopters and non-adopters towards the family planning programme.