Uttrakhand is all set to become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday 18 December notified through X that the UCC will be implemented in Uttrakhand from January and added that all preparations have been completed.
In March 2022 Dhami led BJP government in uttrakhand had it’s first cabinet meeting decided,to constitute an expert committee to implement UCC in the state. With a five member committee under the leadership of retired Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. Based on the report of the committee,the UCC bill was passed by state legislative in on February 7, 2024.
The UCC aims to establish a common set of personal laws governing matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live in relationship for all the citizens of Uttarakhand excluding the members of scheduled Tribes.
Key provisions of UCC: Marriage and divorce needs compulsory registration and uniform grounds for divorce , Inheritance and succession equal rights for sons and daughters, live-in relationships should be registered, rights for children born to partners, and provision for maintenance.
Pushkar Dhami said that the government is fully prepared go implement the UCC from January. He made sure that proper training has been provided to personnel and all kinds of basic facilities is provided for smooth implementation of the code.
Mobile apps and portals have also been launched for the convenience of public. All kinds of facilities including registration, appeal etc will be available online.
The UCC is expected to give new direction to society following basic notion of ‘Sabka Saath , Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas’. However, the UCC implementation has recieved both negative and positive reactions with some seeing it as a progressive step towards achieving equality and others raising concerns about its impact on minor communities.
