
DEHRADUN: In a significant development, the Uttarakhand Cabinet has officially approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) regulations during a meeting held on Monday morning. Following this historic decision, the implementation of UCC in the state is now on the horizon.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has indicated that the government plans to notify the UCC within this month. Sources suggest that the UCC could be implemented in Uttarakhand on January 26, coinciding with Republic Day, although no official confirmation regarding the notification date has been released yet.
In the meantime, relevant government departments are set to conduct a mock drill for the UCC portal across the state on Tuesday. This comes after several weeks of training for the government officials responsible for managing the UCC portal.
Chief Minister Dhami previously announced that the state will implement the Uniform Civil Code starting in January of this year. "Almost all preparations for this initiative have been completed," he stated. If successful, Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to implement the UCC since independence.
Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code encompasses various aspects of personal law, including marriage, divorce, maintenance, property rights, adoption, and inheritance.
"The code recognizes live-in relationships, ensuring that children born from such unions are entitled to equal inheritance rights," an official stated. The Uniform Civil Code aims to establish a uniform legal framework applicable to all individuals, regardless of their religion, caste, or community.
However, it is important to note that the state's tribal communities have been exempted from this legislation, acknowledging their unique cultural practices and legal traditions.
Ajay Mishra, Uttarakhand's resident commissioner in Delhi and nodal officer for training, told TNIE, "We are gathering all officials responsible for executing their duties post-implementation. It is vital that they understand their roles."
Speaking to TNIE, Mishra noted, "The system is fully digital, transparent, and easily accessible, which increases user engagement. The process is seamless, eliminating any claims of missing documents. Citizens who are unsure about their paperwork can visit a Common Service Center for assistance."
He further emphasized that "transparency, information flow, and simplicity significantly enhance the appeal of the UCC portal. The system operates in auto-mode, with information presented in a drop-down format, allowing for automatic data capture."
In a landmark move, the BJP government in Uttarakhand introduced the UCC Bill during a special session of the State Legislative Assembly on February 6 last year. The bill garnered a comfortable majority and was passed on February 7. Following its passage in the Uttarakhand Assembly, the UCC Bill received presidential assent from President Droupadi Murmu on March 13.
A government spokesperson stated, "The implementation of the UCC is a significant step towards ensuring equality and justice for all citizens, irrespective of their religion."
Highlights of UCC:
1. Mandatory Marriage Registration: All marriages must now be registered to ensure legal recognition and protection.
2. Prohibition on Bigamy: Individuals are strictly prohibited from entering into a second marriage while their spouse is alive.
3. Equal Divorce Rights: Both husbands and wives across all religions are granted equal rights to seek divorce.
4. Equal Property Rights for Children: Sons and daughters from all religious communities will have equal rights to inherit property.
5. Ban on 'Halala' and 'Iddat' Practices: The UCC prohibits the practices of Halala and Iddat prevalent in the Muslim community.
6. No Discrimination in Inheritance: There will be no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children regarding property rights.
7. Registration Required for Live-In Relationships: Live-in relationships must be registered, and children born from such relationships will have equal rights to inheritance.