Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code Draft for Assembly Session

• 05 Feb 2024

On 4^th February, 2024, the Uttarakhand Cabinet gave its approval to the final draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), setting the stage for its presentation in the Assembly during a special four-day session starting on 5^th February.

Key Points

• Special Assembly Session: The Assembly session has been specially convened to pass the UCC legislation and formalize it as an Act. The Cabinet's approval was a prerequisite for its introduction in the Assembly.
• Historic Implementation: If implemented, Uttarakhand will be the first state in the country post-Independence to adopt the UCC. Goa has had a UCC in place since the Portuguese rule.
• Draft Details: The final draft, spanning 740 pages in four volumes, was submitted to Chief Minister Dhami by a five-member panel led by retired Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai.
• Committee's Work: The committee, formed in May 2022, took almost two years and four extensions to prepare the draft. It received over 2.33 lakh online suggestions and conducted 70 meetings with around 60,000 people.
• Legal Framework: The UCC's implementation aims to establish a legal framework for uniform marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws, applicable to citizens of all faiths in the state.
• Debates and Divisions: The UCC has sparked debates and divisions among political parties and religious organizations, reflecting the diverse opinions on the issue.