Uttarakhand Advances Towards Uniform Civil Code Implementation

A review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and UCC Committee member Shatrughan Singh focused on the rules for Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code. Coordination among various departments was emphasized. The UCC Bill was passed earlier this year and aims to enforce uniform personal laws in the state by November 9, 2024.

A review meeting on the formulation of Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code (UCC) rules was convened at Bijapur Guest House on Friday. Chaired by Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and UCC Committee member Shatrughan Singh, the session detailed discussions involving multiple departments, according to an official press release.

The release stated that Chief Secretary Raturi and UCC member Singh directed all departments to collaborate closely in finalizing the UCC rules. Present at the meeting were UCC members Manu Gaur and Surekha Dangwal, Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar, and senior officials from various departments such as Home, Police, and Health.

The BJP government had introduced the UCC Bill during a special session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on February 6, which was passed by a majority the following day. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state plans to implement the Uniform Civil Code before November 9, 2024. He stated that the UCC will help eliminate religion-based discrimination in personal laws concerning marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance.

(With inputs from agencies.)