Panchayat couple in Gujarat fired for having 3 kids

Having more than two children proved costly for a couple, who are members of the Chikhli village panchayat on Thursday. Based on a petition filed by a local, the Taluka Development Officer (TDO) issued their termination orders from the post. The orders jolted the panchayat members.

Anandkumar Pathak, member from ward no. 10 and his wife Kruti Pathak, a member from ward no. 5, in the Chikhli village panchayat have three children.

However, despite central government's rule of disallowing people having more than two kids from becoming local representatives, the couple continued to remain in their respective posts.

To oppose this, a complaint was filed before the TDO by a local named Iqbal Tai, in June. But six months after the complaint, no decision was taken by the TDO in the matter.

The sudden termination orders issued by the TDO for the couple caught everyone unawares.

In its order, TDO RP Chaudhry observed that since the couple have three children, they are not liable to continue as members of the panchayat.

When the orders were released, the Pathak couple presented their excuses.

"Our second child (born in 2008) passed away a few weeks back and we are still in shock. At present, we have only two children. How then, could the TDO issue such orders?" reacted Anand Pathak, calling it a political conspiracy.

Sources said that disappointed with the TDO's delay in taking a decision in the case, Tai raised the issue before higher officials in Gandhinagar, who considered the entire case and ordered the TDO to take action in the matter.

Chaudhry and Tai were both unavailable for comment regarding the matter.