Sunday, 08 SEPTEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Panchayati Raj minister, Satpal Maharaj has stated that candidature for the upcoming Panchayat elections will be decided as per the provisions of the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act. He informed that the Act bars those with more than two children from contesting the Panchayat elections. The Uttarkhand High Court has set July 25, 2019 as the cut off date for Gram Panchayat, block Panchayat and district Panchayat election candidates.Those who have more than two living children after this date will be ineligible to contest the Panchayat polls, Maharaj said.
Additionally, a government notification dated March 16, 2024, exempts individuals from disqualification if they have more than two living biological children due to the birth of twins of more in the second pregnancy. Further, the Panchayati Raj director, Nidhi Yadav added that the government had earlier filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s order, but it was later withdrawn. She also added that the directorate has proposed an amendment in the Act to ensure a uniform system in the Panchayat elections.
