After Andhra Pradesh, Telangana to junk 2-kid rule for candidates of rural local body polls

HYDERABAD: After neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Telangana govt is also set to junk the two-child norm for candidates of rural local body polls, reports Roushan Ali. A bill to amend the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, to do away with the bar will be tabled in the forthcoming winter session of the assembly.

Recently, the Andhra assembly passed a bill removing the two-child norm, with the govt stating it is being done in view of the changing socio-economic necessities and falling total fertility rate in the state.

The southern states, which have performed well in controlling population, are upset that they are being penalized for their good work. Officials told Telangana CM Revanth Reddy that people have moved court complaining about the disparity between rural and urban local bodies. They contended that if candidates with more than two children could contest in urban body elections, why were candidates from rural areas being denied the same right. The court then asked the Telangana govt to take an appropriate decision.