Rajasthan government to remove two-child limit for candidates in Panchayat, urban local body elections

The Rajasthan government is set to bring in an ordinance to amend the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act and the Rajasthan Municipality Act to remove the provision disqualifying persons with more than two children from contesting Panchayat and urban local body elections.

An official said the draft of the proposed ordinance has been sent to the law department for examination. After approval, the proposal will be placed before the Cabinet for approval.

At present, these laws bar persons from contesting elections for posts like Panch, Sarpanch, Up-Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti member, Zilla Parishad member, Pradhan, Zilla Pramukh, Councilor, Chairman or Mayor who have a third child after November 27, 1995.

The disqualification clause is contained in Section 24 of the Rajasthan Municipality Act and relevant provisions of the Panchayati Raj Act.

This move is expected to benefit many leaders of both BJP and Congress. They will be able to contest elections after the amendment is implemented.

Urban Development and Housing Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra had recently said that elected representatives should not face discrimination due to the implementation of the two-child rule.

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