Chinese officials waive aside One Child' policy for Sichuan quake couples

New Delhi, July 26 : The Standing Committee of the Sichuan Provincial People's Congress has waived aside the One Child' policy for parents affected by the May 12 Sichuan earthquake.

Affected parents have been given the right to have another child, as also those whose only child was seriously wounded in the quake.

The China Daily quoted Yang Guo'an, the chairman of the education, science, culture and public health committee of the congress, as saying the decision is in line with people's wishes and the requirements of the State Council.

A survey conducted in the city of Deyang showed more than 90 percent of parents whose children were killed in the quake, are of childbearing age (20-49 in China). More than 74 percent of them plan to have another child. The sample size was not disclosed.

According to the Deyang population and family planning committee, some parents went to the committee just days after the quake, consulting policies pertaining to the birth of new babies. But they had to wait for the detailed rules from the provincial commission.

Meanwhile, the more than 5,200 Sichuan parents who lost their children or whose children were crippled in the earthquake will get 100 yuan (15 dollars) a month each, a provincial population and family planning commission official said on Friday.

The dole is designed to help parents who lost their children or whose children will not be able to support their families in the future.

ANI