Baripada: The district Collector of Mayurbhanj has recommended disqualification proceedings against a Sarpanch for allegedly violating the two-child norm under the Odisha Gram Panchayat (OGP) Act, 1964
Sources said disqualification proceedings have been sought against Ludu Surin, Sarpanch of Ramchandrapur Gram Panchayat in Kaptipada Block of the district.
In a letter to the Director of Panchayati Raj under the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, the district administration said a grievance petition had been filed by one Rajkishore Nayak and others alleging that the Sarpanch had submitted incorrect information regarding her children while filing nomination papers for the panchayat polls.
Several notices were issued to Ludu Surin asking her to appear before authorities for a hearing on the complaint. However, she failed to appear despite acknowledging receipt of the notices, the letter said.
Following the complaint, reports were sought from the Block Development Officer (BDO), Kaptipada, the Medical Officer-in-Charge of Kaptipada Community Health Centre (CHC) and the Block Education Officer to verify the status of her children.
Based on the reports submitted by the BDO and the Medical Officer, the administration stated that it was ascertained that the Sarpanch has four children, of whom two were allegedly born after the commencement of the Odisha Gram Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 1994.
It was stated that another notice was issued to the Sarpanch on April 23, 2026, asking her to submit a written explanation along with supporting documents as to why action should not be initiated for her disqualification under Section 25(v) of the OGP Act, 1964. The administration said no reply had been received from her so far.
The district administration has now requested the Director of Panchayati Raj to take necessary steps for her disqualification in accordance with the provisions of the law.
