Bageshwar zila panchayat member disqualified for violating two-child norm

Bageshwar: A zila panchayat member elected from the Ason constituency was disqualified after an inquiry found that he had three living biological children, making him ineligible under the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.Chief development officer and prescribed authority RC Tiwari issued the disqualification order on Saturday against Kundan Ram, who was elected from Territorial Constituency-04 (Ason).The inquiry found documentary evidence showing that Kundan has three living biological children. A registered adoption deed executed on Sept 6, 2025, also referred to the existence of three living biological children. During the inquiry, Kundan submitted a written statement acknowledging the birth of the child.Tiwari said Section 90 (1)(d) of the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, disqualifies any person having more than two living biological children from contesting or continuing as a zila panchayat member.The action followed complaints alleging that Kundan had concealed information about his third child during the election process.Following directions from the director of Panchayati Raj, the district administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee.

The panel examined records from various departments, including the women and child development and health departments, as well as adoption-related documents.After examining the inquiry report and supporting records, the prescribed authority declared Kundan ineligible to continue in office. Tiwari said the elected representative was given adequate opportunity to present his defence before the final decision was taken.