LI Network
Published on: February 5, 2024 at 12:40 IST
In a significant development, the Uttarakhand Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has granted approval to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report during its recent meeting. This move fulfills a major commitment made by the BJP before the Assembly polls.
The UCC drafting committee, under the leadership of retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, submitted the comprehensive draft to the Chief Minister.
The state government is set to introduce the UCC Bill in the Assembly, with the presentation scheduled for February 6. The special session of the Assembly has been convened specifically for the enactment of UCC legislation on Monday.
The proposed bill aims to establish uniform civil laws applicable to all communities in the state. Upon implementation, Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state post-independence to adopt the Uniform Civil Code.
The final UCC draft, comprising 740 pages in four volumes, was presented to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday by the UCC drafting committee.
The committee, formed in May 2022, includes retired Justice Pramod Kohli, social activist Manu Gaur, former Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh, and the Vice-Chancellor of Doon University, Surekha Dangwal.
The committee, which received 2.33 lakh written suggestions and conducted over 60 meetings, interacted with around 60,000 people during the drafting process. Despite receiving multiple extensions, the latest being a 15-day extension in January, the committee diligently worked to finalize the UCC draft.
Chief Minister Dhami, expressing commitment to the UCC implementation in Uttarakhand, stated, ‘We promised our people to bring the UCC in Uttarakhand before the Assembly goes into session. The rollout of the UCC will be in line with a resolution adopted by the BJP.’
The Uniform Civil Code will establish a legal framework for uniform marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws applicable to all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Due to the commencement of the Uttarakhand Assembly session on February 5, Section 144 has been imposed within a 300-meter radius around the Assembly premises by the district administration.
Dehradun District Magistrate Sonika clarified that during the assembly session starting Monday, activities such as demonstrations by organizations and communities will be prohibited in the designated area.”