Dehradun: The implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand has led to various clarifications to address public concerns and misinformation. Manu Gaur, a member of the UCC Rules Committee, has addressed recent media reports that suggested a certificate from religious leaders would be mandatory for registering live-in relationships.
Gaur clarified that such certificates are only required for relationships where marriage is prohibited, as listed in Schedule 01 of the Code. The purpose of this clarification is to streamline the registration process and ensure no one is prevented from registering. Gaur stated that the format for certificates from religious leaders has been clearly outlined.
Only four documents are necessary for registration
For live-in registrations under UCC, only four documents are necessary: proof of residence, date of birth, Aadhaar card, and in cases of tenancy, tenancy-related documents. Individuals who have previously been divorced must submit legal orders terminating their previous marriage. Additionally, those whose partners have passed away or whose previous live-in relationships have ended must provide relevant documents at the time of registration.
Certification from religious leaders is only applicable when prior relationship falls into the prohibited categories
Gaur emphasized that requiring certification from religious leaders is only applicable when the live-in couple’s prior relationship falls into the prohibited categories listed in Schedule 01. Such instances are rare in Uttarakhand. This requirement aims to facilitate registration rather than hinder it. Societies where marriages in prohibited relationships occur can still register by providing certificates from religious leaders.
UCC rules and residency
Gaur also clarified that UCC registration is not limited to original or permanent residents of Uttarakhand. Any person residing in Uttarakhand for at least one year is eligible for registration, irrespective of their original residence. She noted that many individuals from other states live in Uttarakhand and benefit from government schemes. Such individuals will now need to register to continue availing these benefits, which will help manage the state’s resources more effectively.
Limiting UCC to original or permanent residents would exclude many migrants
Limiting UCC to original or permanent residents would exclude many migrants who settle in Uttarakhand. This would lead to discrepancies, as these individuals would marry in other states but benefit from Uttarakhand’s government schemes. The definition of “resident” in the UCC Act specifically pertains to UCC-related matters and includes five categories. The aim is to provide UCC registration to all residents of Uttarakhand and enrich the government’s database. This registration process is similar to obtaining a voter card, which is not linked to one’s original or permanent residence.
Detailed registration form
Gaur mentioned that the UCC registration form is comprehensive, spanning 16 pages. Despite its length, the form is designed to be foolproof and can be completed online in five to ten minutes. Offline, the form can be filled in about 30 minutes. The online process is convenient as details automatically populate when Aadhaar is entered in the web portal.
