Population Politics: Andhra Scraps 2-Child Norm - Practical Or Parochial?
The Andhra Pradesh government has done away with the rule that candidates having more than two children are ineligible to contest the elections for local bodies, on Monday, by passing the AP Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the AP Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Thirty years ago, in May 1994, the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh assembly had passed an amendment Bill that made the 2-child norm mandatory for those seeking election to the Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Parishads. Contenders with over two children were disqualified or considered ineligible to contest local body polls. This was meant to keep a check on the population.
