In Pune district, 19 sarpanchs dismissed for having 3rd child

The Pune district collector has dismissed 19 sarpanchs and a few members of gram panchayats for having more than two children post-September 2001.

The district collectorate took the action after receiving more than 40 complaints against these members in the last six months.

The state government had stipulated that members of the local self government bodies would lose their membership in case they had a third child post-September 2001.

During the polls held for the 160 gram panchayats in the district, many of the winning candidates had allegedly withheld the information of them having a third child after September 2001.

The district collectorate held hearings on receiving complaints.

After the hearing, 19 sarpanchs were found to have suppressed the information regarding their third child. The district collectorate recommended their suspension to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Pune Zilla Parishad and the dismissal orders were served last month.

The dismissed office-bearers are from Indapur-Lasuni, Ambegaon-Ranmaal, Vadgaon Kashimbe, Chaas, Khed-Yenar, Shirur-Pimpalshuti, Pimpar Khed, Jhabhut, Baramati-Karadi, Tekalwadi, Daund-Rodi, Bhor-Warikhurd, Haveli-Bakori, Haveli-Kondhwa, Baramati-Malwadi Late and Daund-Deulgaon.