Sonai GP Member Disqualified for Violating Assam Two Child Policy, Trouble Mounts for Others

An elected group member of 128 No., Swadhin Bazar Gram Panchayat under Sonai Development Block in Cachar district has been disqualified from office after an official inquiry found that she submitted false information in her nomination affidavit regarding the birth of her third child. The Assam government has notified an amendment to a 2017 policy on population and women empowerment to reinforce the two-child norm for eligibility in government jobs, self-help groups (SHGs), and electoral participation.

According to a speaking order issued by the Chief Executive Officer, Cachar Zilla Parishad, Dilara Begum Laskar, Member of Ward No. 06, has been removed from her post with immediate effect for violating provisions of the Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 2018.

The order, signed on December 10, 2025, by District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, states that an inquiry was initiated following allegations of falsification of documents submitted during the Panchayat elections. The inquiry report was submitted by the Block Development Officer (BDO), Sonai Development Block, along with supporting reports from the Officer-in-Charge of Sonai Police Station and the Superintendent & Registrar of Births and Deaths, Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

Upon examination of the reports and documents, it was established that Dilara Begum Laskar had falsely declared in her nomination papers that her third child was born on February 23, 2018, a date prior to the enforcement of the Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 2018, which came into effect on March 19, 2018.

However, the official verification confirmed that her third child was actually born on October 23, 2020, making her ineligible to contest or continue as a Panchayat member under Section 111(3) of the Act, which bars persons with more than two living children from holding Panchayat office unless the third child was born before the cut-off date.

The order further noted that hearings were scheduled on two separate dates, during which the complainant and the BDO were present. However, Dilara Begum Laskar neither received the notice of hearing nor appeared before the authority on the scheduled dates.

Exercising powers under Rule 62 of the Assam Panchayat (Constitution) Amendment Rules, 2018, read with Section 111(2)(b) of the Act, the CEO, Cachar Zilla Parishad, declared Dilara Begum Laskar disqualified and ordered her removal from office with immediate effect.

Following Dilara Begum’s disqualification, pressure is reportedly mounting on Swadhin Bazar GP President Ruba Begum Laskar (Ward No. 3) and Ward No. 2 member Zaidul Islam Laskar, both of whom are facing allegations of submitting fake certificates in their election affidavits. Departmental inquiries against them are said to be in the final stage.

Additionally, investigations related to allegations of child marriage involving GP President Ruba Begum have reportedly been completed by both police and departmental authorities. Sources indicated that she may lose both her President’s post and group membership at any moment.

According to departmental sources, five elected group members from Sonai and Katigorah blocks in Cachar district are likely to be disqualified in the coming days based on serious allegations and ongoing inquiries.