Patna: The health department will bring together saas-bahu (mother- and daughter-in-law) pairs to check population growth in Bihar with the support of auxiliary nurse midwives, ASHA (health) and anganwadi workers.

There are around 20,000 regular and contract auxiliary nurse midwives (ANM) in Bihar's 38 districts. The ANMs in 37 districts, excluding Patna, have been asked to organise " saas-bahu sammelan" in their areas to spread awareness on family planning measures.

The idea is for each ANM to bring together 10 pairs of mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law and motivate them to implement and follow family planning measures. Enough funds have been given to the ANMs to organise one such meeting and motivate the women with little gifts.

According to the Sample Registration System Data released three days ago, there has been 0.1 per cent increase in Bihar's total fertility rate compared to 3.2 in the last survey conducted in 2015. The need for population stabilisation is important because the data means an average woman in Bihar has 3.3 children.

"The ANMs have been given the responsibility to organise the saas-bahu sammelans under the Union government's Mission Parivar Vikas that aims to keep a check on increasing population. The recent fertility rate data is unfortunate and we hope to create some difference with these conferences," said Mohammad Sajjad Ahmad, programme officer, State Health Society, Bihar.

Sajjad said the ANMs have been asked to motivate the saas-bahu duo to take oaths to follow family planning, and have children with proper gaps in between. "We are giving the ANMs around Rs 1,600 to arrange the programme, buy refreshments for the women and buy gifts such as bindi, nail cutter and nail polish. The ASHA workers would be provided Rs 100 incentive from the allocation. If we see the drive is successful in 50 per cent of the areas, more conferences will be planned," said Sajjad.

ASHA workers were earlier given Rs 200 as incentive to motivate women for family planning. Now, they are being given Rs 300 as incentive in all districts, except Patna.