MPs to be less reproductive

NEW DELHI (AFP) - India's government, headed by a Prime Minister who has fathered eight children, introduced a bill yesterday seeking to bar people with more than two babies from becoming MPs, in an attempt to promote small families.

The bill, when enacted, would apply to people who have a third baby a year after the law comes into force. It would not affect present-day fathers and mothers with more than two offspring.

'Elected representatives have to set an example,' the bill said, voicing concern at India's exploding population, which has galloped past 870 million and is growing at the rate of 17 million every year.