PCMC Launches Probe Against Deputy Engineer Over Violation of Two-Child Policy
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In a fresh case echoing the state’s firm stance on population norms within government service, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has initiated a departmental inquiry against a deputy engineer from its civil department for breaching Maharashtra’s two-child policy—a rule that has been in force since 2005 for all state government employees.
Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh has officially directed the administration to conduct a full-fledged investigation into the matter. The engineer in question allegedly had a third child in December 2008—well beyond the legally set cut-off date of March 28, 2006, which disqualifies any government employee from service if they have more than two children born after this deadline.
A senior PCMC official confirmed, “The officer admitted to having a third child when the administration asked for clarification. The inquiry is expected to be completed within a month, and any action deemed necessary will be taken following due procedure.”
The accused officer had originally joined PCMC as a junior engineer before 2005, but the rules clearly apply to all cadres—right from Group A to Group D employees. As per the Maharashtra Civil Services (Declaration of Small Family) Rules, 2005, every employee is required to submit a self-declaration confirming compliance with the two-child policy. If it is later found that an employee has had a child on or after the set date, they are declared ineligible to hold their position.
What makes the stakes even higher is the fact that violations of this rule can result in not just dismissal, but also the loss of post-retirement benefits such as pension and gratuity. In this case, if the inquiry finds the deputy engineer guilty, the civic body will need to pass a resolution in its general body meeting to formalize his termination.
The ongoing investigation follows closely on the heels of a similar controversy involving Assistant Commissioner Shrinivas Dangat, who was recently dismissed for breaching the same rule. However, just days before his retirement, Dangat managed to get relief from the Bombay High Court. The court reversed his termination on February 26, 2025, but made a point to state that this decision “shall not serve as a precedent or be referenced in other similar matters.”
The High Court acknowledged the unique nature of Dangat’s case and allowed him to retain his retirement benefits, albeit with a penalty. He agreed to forfeit ₹7.5 lakh from his gratuity as a form of disciplinary action. In response, PCMC has since been instructed to disburse the remaining post-retirement dues accordingly.
