Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is the first person to register his marriage on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) portal in Uttarakhand. It is mandatory under UCC provision to register the marriage solemnized after march 2010.
CM Dhami, who married Geeta Dhami on February 5, 2011, received the certificate of registration from Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Ratudi. This moment marked the launch of the UCC, making Uttarakhand the first state in India to implement such a law.
All marriages solemnized after March 2010 must be registered
The UCC mandates that all marriages solemnized after March 2010 must be registered. Those who fail to register their marriage within six months of the law’s implementation will be fined Rs 10,000, while those who provide false information during registration will face a fine of Rs 25,000. The UCC clarifies that if either the man or woman getting married is a resident of Uttarakhand, registration is mandatory.
Pre-2010 couples can also register if they meet the legal criteria
Marriages not registered by March 26, 2010, under the Uttarakhand Compulsory Marriage Registration Act, must be registered within six months of the UCC’s implementation. Couples who have already registered do not need to register again but must submit a declaration at the Sub Registrar Office within six months. Pre-2010 couples can also register if they meet the legal criteria, including not having more than one spouse and fulfilling the age requirement.
Husband and wife to fill the form
The registration process under the UCC involves the husband and wife filling out a form together and presenting it to the sub-registrar within 60 days of the marriage. One of the partners must reside in Uttarakhand. The same formalities apply to couples married before 2010.
Officers up to the level of Sub-Divisional Magistrate serving as Registrars
The state government will appoint a secretary-level officer as Registrar General, with officers up to the level of Sub-Divisional Magistrate serving as Registrars and Sub-Registrars. The UCC stipulates that the minimum age for marriage is 21 for men and 18 for women.
Neglecting registration process can also be fined up to Rs 25,000
Penalties for non-compliance range from Rs 10,000 for failing to register to Rs 25,000 for providing false information. A Sub Registrar who neglects the registration process or divorce within 15 days can also be fined up to Rs 25,000. The sub-registrar can take cognizance of unregistered marriages, sending a notice requiring a memorandum within 30 days. Failure to comply will result in a Rs 25,000 fine. However, a marriage will not be considered invalid solely due to non-registration.
We are not trying to touch anyone’s privacy with the UCC, says Dhami
While talking to PTI, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized the importance of the UCC, stating, “It was our party’s resolution… Under the leadership of PM Modi, resolutions of our party, be it the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, or implementing UCC… all are being done. We are not trying to touch anyone’s privacy with the UCC. The security of those in live-in relationships is of top priority. Sometimes relationships turn bad in live-in relationships, and our only priority is their safety. We have to save their lives.”
