A senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, has put forth a private member’s Bill aimed at establishing a comprehensive policy to address the declining fertility rates in Jammu and Kashmir. The proposed legislation also seeks to bolster healthcare, education, and social support systems for women and adolescent girls across the region. The Bill, officially titled “Protection of Kashmir’s Future Generations from Demographic Decline and Advancement of Women, Adolescent Girls, Maternal and Child Health Bill, 2026,” has been formally submitted to the Assembly Secretariat for consideration during the upcoming 10-day autumn session, scheduled to commence on September 21. Informally, the Bill is also referred to as the “Maa-Beti Aur Aane Wali Naslein Bachao Bill, 2026.”
The proposed law intends to integrate measures designed to enhance women’s health, educational attainment, and socio-economic empowerment with voluntary and non-coercive initiatives. These initiatives are specifically formulated to confront the long-term implications of sustained fertility levels that fall below the conventional replacement rate. According to the statement of objects and reasons accompanying the Bill, declining fertility and evolving family structures are identified as significant demographic trends emerging within Jammu and Kashmir. Citing findings from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), the Bill highlights that the total fertility rate in Jammu and Kashmir is approximately 1.4 children per woman, a figure considerably lower than the generally accepted replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that this sustained below-replacement fertility could have profound implications for the region’s future age structure, the availability of a labour force, the efficacy of inter-generational support systems, the vitality of rural communities, and the overall long-term social and economic sustainability of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bill further posits a connection between these demographic trends and various socio-economic factors, including educational and economic pressures faced by young individuals, the increasing trend of delayed marriage and childbearing, and broader concerns pertaining to the health and well-being of women. A central element of the proposed legislation involves the establishment of a Voluntary Family Support and Demographic Stabilisation Scheme. This scheme is envisioned to actively reduce the economic and social barriers that currently hinder family formation. Potential provisions under this scheme may include financial assistance, educational scholarships, childcare support, enhanced maternity benefits, housing assistance, nutritional aid, comprehensive healthcare services, and the provision of crèche facilities. Additionally, the Bill proposes a system of graded financial and educational support for eligible families that are raising two or more children. This support could encompass improved scholarship opportunities and social-security assistance, aiming to incentivize larger family sizes.
To actively combat gender discrimination, the legislation mandates the strict, transparent, and time-bound implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act. It advocates for more robust monitoring of ultrasound and diagnostic facilities through regular inspections, thorough record verification, and compliance audits. Violations of these regulations are to be addressed under existing Central laws. The Bill also envisages the creation of a confidential mechanism for reporting suspected sex-selection practices. This mechanism would include safeguards to protect complainants and provisions for incentives in cases where reporting leads to successful enforcement actions. Furthermore, the legislation calls for sustained public awareness campaigns to counter female foeticide, sex selection, discrimination against the girl child, dowry practices, and the denial of education to girls.
In an effort to systematically monitor demographic trends, Mr. Para has proposed the establishment of a Jammu and Kashmir Demographic Research and Monitoring Cell. This dedicated body would be tasked with conducting in-depth studies on fertility patterns, age structure, marriage trends, maternal and child health indicators, female education levels, migration patterns, workforce participation, and the various socio-economic factors that influence family formation decisions. The cell would be responsible for publishing an annual report detailing demographic and family well-being indicators for the region. The proposed framework also includes the establishment of a Kashmir Girls and Women’s Health Mission. This mission would serve to coordinate a wide range of initiatives focused on menstrual health, nutrition, anaemia control, reproductive healthcare, maternal and child health awareness, awareness programs for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and dedicated support for girls’ education. As reported by Tahir Rihat, the Bill further seeks the creation of a Jammu and Kashmir Council for Women, Girls and Future Generations, complemented by district-level committees. These committees would be responsible for overseeing the delivery of healthcare services, monitoring educational support mechanisms, ensuring the availability of sanitary products, assessing maternal health services, and tracking the implementation of various welfare schemes.
Recognizing the significant financial implications associated with these proposals, the legislation recommends the establishment of a dedicated Women, Girls and Future Generations Fund. This fund would be utilized to support reproductive healthcare services, scholarships, childcare facilities, maternal and child health programs, community outreach activities, and demographic research, all subject to applicable financial and audit regulations. Among the specific infrastructure proposals outlined in the Bill is the establishment of a 100-bed maternity and child-care hospital in the Pulwama district. This facility would be equipped to provide comprehensive services including antenatal and obstetric care, high-risk pregnancy management, emergency obstetric services, neonatal intensive care, paediatric treatment, diagnostic facilities, postnatal care, and maternal nutrition support. The Bill explicitly states that its objective is not to dictate family size or interfere with personal choices, but rather to create an environment that supports informed decision-making and addresses the demographic challenges facing the region.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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