In December last year, in response to a PIL seeking a population control law based on the China model, the union government told the Supreme Court that India was on the verge of achieving a replacement level of fertility rate of 2.1 through various voluntary birth control measures. It added that international experience like the China model showed that any corecion to have a certain number of children was counter-productive and would lead to demographic disortion. The Union Health ministry submitted that 25 of 36 states/UTs had already achieved replacement level fertility of 2.1 or less. But 146 districts in seven states UP(57), Bihar (37), Rajasthan(14), MP(25) had fertility rates above 3. According to the Census office, 2001-11 was the first decade in the last 100 years in which India added less to its population than in the previous one, it added. Due to their alleged involvement in other cases, some among then 11 accused have been lodged in separate jails across the country. The trial in a case commences only after charges are framed against the accused. During Monday's hearing Bhatkal insisted on being produced for the framing of charges in person. The court noted he had not mentioned the grounds for such a plea. Bhatkal, though, interated his physical attendance is a must and another accused also lodged in Tihar Jail was produced before the court during the framing of his charges. It was then brought to the court's notice that an order under Section 268 of CRPC had been passed because of which Bhatkal could not be transferred from his jail for security reason. The court, in its order, also noted that opportunites had been giving to him for a fair trial. "Otherwise, on account of his earlier successive refusals to hear charge, I would have proceeded further, "the court noted. His target was the Narendra Modi-led NDA government and not the MVA government, "he said. On the speaker's post, Patil claimed there was no dispute, and as decided by the MVA partners, it will remain with Congress.
