Two-child cap off: Raj govt openslocal body polls to bigger families

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Cabinet Wednesday approved key legislative amendments and policy decisions, including the removal of the norm that barred individuals with more than two children from contesting Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections.The Cabinet cleared the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Rajasthan Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seek to modify section 19 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and section 24 of the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009. The Bills are likely to be introduced in the state Assembly during the ongoing Budget session.
"With this amendment, individuals with more than two children will now be eligible to contest Panchayati Raj and municipal elections," state parliamentary affairs and law minister Jogaram Patel told reporters after the meeting. Patel said the two-child norm was introduced when population control was a pressing concern. "Between 1991 and 1994, the fertility rate was around 3.6. It has now declined to nearly 2. In the current scenario, the direct impact of such provisions is significantly reduced," he said.Also speaking on the occasion, state industries and commerce minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said the change reflects shifting demographic and social conditions.The move is expected to widen the pool of prospective candidates in both rural and urban constituencies ahead of the local body elections due in March–April.In another major decision, the cabinet approved the formation of a new Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Economic Offences to crack down on financial crimes, including illegal land encroachments and fraudulent documentation. Deputy chief minister Prem Chand Bairwa said the existing State Revenue Intelligence Directorate will be dissolved and replaced with the new body to ensure "better prevention of economic offences and improved financial discipline".The directorate will target real estate fraud, financial crimes linked to banks, insurance companies, NBFCs and the stock market, multi-level marketing scams, fraudulent bankruptcy cases, fake placement agencies and forged documents used for jobs or admissions.Rathore also announced the Rajasthan Industrial Park Incentive Policy, 2026, aimed at boosting investment and employment. The policy mandates a minimum of 50 acres and at least 10 industrial units for private parks. "A 20% capital subsidy will be provided, capped atRs 20 crore for parks up to 100 acres, Rs 30 crore for 100–250 acres, and Rs 40 crore beyond 250 acres. Additionally, 50% reimbursement for CETP expenditure (up to Rs 12.5 crore) was approved," said Rathore.The cabinet further cleared a Rs 500 crore steel plant project in Neem Ka Thana and approved a revised self-financed model for the Rs 5,815 crore Rajasthan Mandapam project in Jaipur. It also approved the draft Rajasthan Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy University, Ajmer Bill, 2026, for the setting up of a new AYUSH-focused university to promote education, research and medical tourism.Rajasthan currently has only one Ayurveda university, in Jodhpur.