Uttarakhand cabinet approves final draft of uniform civil code

In a historic move, the Uttarakhand Cabinet has given its approval to the final draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his residence on Sunday.

The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the UCC report in the cabinet meeting being held at the Chief Minister's residence under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. pic.twitter.com/Zf1xysFMgq

— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2024

The comprehensive UCC draft comprises four volumes with a total of 740 pages. It received the green light from the cabinet, setting the stage for its presentation in the upcoming special four-day session of the Uttarakhand Assembly, which is scheduled to commence on February 5. The Chief Minister expressed confidence in the UCC's potential impact on the state's legal framework.

#WATCH | Dehradun: An important meeting of the state cabinet is being held at the CM residence auditorium under the chairmanship of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

After the completion of the legislative work on the UCC report, the UCC report will be approved in… pic.twitter.com/hlW6KBipBf

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 4, 2024

Once enacted, Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state post-independence to adopt the Uniform Civil Code, a legal framework that has been in operation in Goa since the era of Portuguese rule.

The final UCC draft was submitted to Chief Minister Dhami on Friday by a five-member panel led by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The state cabinet's approval was a crucial prerequisite for the induction of the UCC in the legislative assembly.

Special session of assembly approves UCC draft

The special session of the assembly convened exclusively for the purpose of passing the UCC legislation, is scheduled to take place from February 5 to February 8. The presentation of the UCC Bill in the assembly on February 6 is likely to initiate discussions and deliberations on the groundbreaking legal reform.

#WATCH | The UCC report is being presented before the Cabinet in the cabinet meeting being held at the Chief Minister's residence under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. https://t.co/ahxVdybED4 pic.twitter.com/UqybgKdp57

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 4, 2024

Understanding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

The UCC aims to establish a comprehensive set of laws that are uniform, replacing diverse personal laws associated with different religions. The subjects covered by the UCC include marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, among others. Mandated by Article 44 of the Constitution, the UCC aligns with the directive that the state "shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India."

As Uttarakhand prepares to take this significant step, the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code will likely have far-reaching implications for the legal landscape of the state, promoting uniformity and equality in personal laws governing diverse communities. The upcoming assembly session is poised to witness crucial discussions and debates surrounding this transformative legal reform.