Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Bihar official disqualified for having more than 2 kids

July 22, 2011 18:23 IST

If you are an elected representative of a civic body, having more than two children may cost you your job.

]Rehana Khatoon, a ward councilor in Bihar has been disqualified from Phulwari Sharif municipal body in Patna -- for having more than two children -- the maximum limit to qualify for the post under a new law.

The state election commission disqualified Khatoon following a complaint filed against her by Mohd Imtiaz Ahmad. In his complaint petition, Ahmad informed the commission that Khatoon had six children, including three born after she was elected ward councillor in 2006.

The commission officials told rediff.com that as per the amended 2007 Bihar Municipal Act, any elected representative of any civic body may face disqualification if he or she has more than two children.

Taking cognisance, the commission issued her a show-cause notice, and asked her to explain why her membership should not be terminated for flouting rules.

"She failed to explain and did not approach the commission despite repeated notices," a commission official said.

Early this year, a ward councilor from Bodh Gaya, Arun Ravidas was disqualified by the commission after he became father for a third time.

That was the first time in Bihar that an elected people's representative has lost his post for having more than two children.

The move is part of the state government's landmark initiative to check the population boom in Bihar.

M I Khan in Patna