Srinagar, J & K : People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para has proposed a Private Member’s Bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly aimed at addressing declining fertility while strengthening healthcare, education and social support for women and adolescent girls.

Titled the Protection of Kashmir’s Future Generations from Demographic Decline and Advancement of Women, Adolescent Girls, Maternal and Child Health Bill, 2026’ the proposed legislation has been submitted to the Assembly Secretariat for consideration during the 10 day Autumn Session beginning September 21.

It is also referred to as the Maa Beti Aur Aane Wali Naslein Bachao Bill, 2026 The proposed Bill seeks to combine measures for women’s health and empowerment with voluntary and non coercive initiatives to address the long term implications of sustained below replacement fertility. Its statement of objects and reasons identifies declining fertility and changing family structures as important demographic developments in Jammu and Kashmir.

Citing data from the National Family Health Survey 5, the Bill notes that Jammu and Kashmir’s total fertility rate is around 1.4 children per woman, below the conventional replacement level of 2.1.

It states that continued demographic changes could have implications for the future age structure, inter generational support systems, rural communities, workforce availability, social security and the sustainability of families.

The proposed legislation also highlights factors such as rising educational and economic pressures on young people, delayed marriages and childbearing, and wider concerns surrounding the health and well-being of women and adolescent girls.

One of the key proposals is the establishment of a voluntary, non coercive and inclusive Family Support and Demographic Stabilisation Scheme.

The scheme would seek to reduce economic and social barriers associated with family formation by providing support such as financial assistance, scholarships, childcare, maternity assistance, housing related aid, nutritional support, healthcare and crèche facilities.

The Bill further proposes graded financial and educational assistance for eligible families raising two or more children, along with additional social-security and scholarship support.

On the issue of sex selection, the proposed legislation calls for strict, transparent and time bound implementation of the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act.

It suggests stronger monitoring of ultrasound and diagnostic facilities through periodic inspections, verification of records and compliance audits, with violations to be dealt with under the applicable Central law.

It also proposes a confidential mechanism for reporting suspected sex-selection activities, with safeguards for the identity of complainants and a possible reward mechanism for information leading to successful enforcement.

The Bill calls for sustained awareness campaigns against sex selection, female foeticide and discrimination against girls, while also addressing dowry practices and denial of education.

For monitoring demographic trends, the proposed Bill envisages a Jammu and Kashmir Demographic Research and Monitoring Cell. The body would study fertility trends, age structures, marriage patterns, maternal and child health, female education, migration, workforce participation and economic factors affecting family formation. It would also publish an annual Jammu and Kashmir Demographic and Family Well-being Report.

Another major component is the proposed Kashmir Girls and Women’s Health Mission, which would coordinate awareness programmes in schools and colleges covering menstrual health, PCOS, nutrition and anaemia, reproductive health, maternal and child healthcare, continuation of education and demographic research.

The Bill also proposes a Jammu and Kashmir Council for Women, Girls and Future Generations, supported by district level committees. These committees would monitor areas including the availability of free sanitary products, maternal healthcare, education re entry, child healthcare and implementation of government schemes.

According to the proposed legislation, implementing the framework would require expenditure from public funds. The identified areas include reproductive health clinics, sanitary products and vending machines, menstrual-waste management, health screening, scholarships and education re entry programmes, childcare facilities, maternal and child healthcare, community outreach and demographic research.

The Bill proposes adequate budgetary allocations and a dedicated Women, Girls and Future Generations Fund, with expenditure subject to applicable financial rules and audit mechanisms.

A specific provision seeks the establishment of a 100 bed Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Pulwama district, offering antenatal and obstetric services, high-risk pregnancy care, emergency obstetric services, neonatal intensive care, paediatric care, diagnostics, ultrasonography, postnatal care, breastfeeding support and maternal nutrition services.

The Bill’s broader policy framework focuses on removing economic, educational, healthcare and social barriers faced by girls, women and families. It proposes measures to ensure that girls do not miss school due to a lack of menstrual products and that young women are not compelled to discontinue education because of marriage or motherhood.

The proposed legislation states that its objective is not to control women or prescribe family size, but to remove barriers related to education, healthcare, economic conditions and social support that can influence motherhood, family life and the well being of future generations.