Even as Maharashtra’s campaign to promote vasectomy as way of permanent birth control is paying dividends, the state government has stopped funding the scheme that offered additional monetary incentive to men opting for sterilization.

This when the state recently won the honour of having the country’s third best record in implementing family planning methods.

The campaign was started after a dismal male sterilisation rate (of 0.92 per cent) was reported in 2001. The scheme turned out to be a big hit last year when both Government of India (GOI) and the state health department pumped in money. A significant sum of Rs 1,451 (Rs 1,100 from the GOI and Rs 351 from the state) was given to every male who came forward for vasectomy. “With increase in incentives, men from slum areas volunteered to undergo sterilisation. Within six months of the scheme’s launch, we registered 248 cases whereas in 2007, we managed only 200. Number of motivators also has increased,” said Dr Asha Advani, special officer, women and child development, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Last year, Mumbai recorded 4,661 vasectomies, way above the target of 3,000 set by the BMC. The improved city figures helped the state jump from the worst performing state (second last before 2008) to third in the country this year. “The city recorded maximum vasectomies in the state and the state is the third in the country only after West Bengal and Punjab,” said Dr Advani.

The state government, however, feels the sum being offered by the Centre is good enough. “The GOI is still paying Rs 1,100 each. If the state government stops funding for this scheme it will not make a big difference in number of men coming in for vasectomy,” said Dr S Dakure, director, state health department.

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