DEHRADUN: The nine-member panel constituted to form the rules, procedures and other matters related to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Act in Uttarakhand released the document on its official website on Friday. The panel, headed by Shatrughan Singh, former chief secretary and chairman of the ‘Rules Making and Implementation Committee’, said that the privacy of couples opting for live-in relationships will be ensured under the law, but parents of live-in couples aged 18 to 21 will be informed of their relationship.
Singh said, “It is a debatable issue. One has voting rights at 18, but the panel believes people in this age bracket are not completely mature, so it is important to inform their families. Registration will provide security and protection to all couples.” Singh said that during the panel’s field visits, the issue was frequently raised.
“Registration not only provides a security cover but also helps us prepare a database for future reference. If someone challenges a matter in court, the court will take a call on the issue,” Singh said.
Uttarakhand’s scheduled tribes (ST), including Jaunsari, Bhotiyas, Tharu, Raji, and Buksa, make up 3% of the state’s population. Their areas have been granted ST status, keeping them outside the UCC’s jurisdiction. Singh said, “Tribal communities have been excluded from the UCC’s scope as of now. We will give them the option to consent to be governed by the UCC.”
Regarding the completion of rules and manuals, Singh said, “Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that UCC will be introduced in Oct, and all our efforts are directed towards this. We are working to complete the process promptly.” Addressing concerns raised by a few religious groups, Singh said, “We reviewed religious texts from both Muslim and Hindu traditions, and after considering various aspects, the UCC draft was prepared.”
The 740-page draft was presented to the CM by a five-member panel on Feb 2 and passed by the cabinet on Feb 4. The bill was tabled in the Uttarakhand assembly on Feb 6 and approved the following day. Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) approved the bill on Feb 28, and it was signed by president Droupadi Murmu on March 11. Following the President’s assent, a nine-member panel was formed to prepare rules for implementing the UCC Act.
During the 2022 state assembly polls, Dhami pledged to implement the UCC if re-elected. The state govt followed through, forming a five-member panel led by retired SC judge, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to draft the UCC, which involved extensive public consultations. The panel received input from over 2.3 lakh people and held 72 meetings to finalise the draft.
The UCC Act includes seven schedules and 392 sections, covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. It aims to end practices like polygamy, polyandry, halala, iddat, and talaq, while ensuring property rights for both male and female children.