N. Chandrababu Naidu Government’s Child Incentive Scheme Sparks Debate!

Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr Sivaranjani Santosh has gone viral after questioning the Andhra Pradesh government’s newly announced cash incentive scheme encouraging families to have more children. The reaction came after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced financial assistance of ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child as part of efforts to address the state’s declining fertility rate.

In a video shared on social media, Dr Sivaranjani stated that raising children requires long-term financial, emotional and physical support, including healthcare, nutrition, education and proper living conditions. She expressed concern that one-time incentives may not be sufficient for a child’s future and suggested that governments should focus more on awareness, healthy lifestyles, infertility support and improving the quality of life for existing families.