New Delhi: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami after unfurling the national flag in Dehradun announced the state’s historic implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024, will officially come into effect on January 27.
“All the preparations for it have been completed. A prosperous society should be formed, in which there is no discrimination on the basis of gender, caste, class, or religion. This law was our resolution, our promise to the people of Uttarakhand and under the leadership of PM Modi, we are fulfilling that promise by fully implementing it,” Dhami said while talking to news agency ANI, adding, “Uttarakhand has become the first state to bring the UCC, ensuring equality across all sections of society.”
‘UCC will eliminate discrimination’
Dhami added that the UCC will eliminate discrimination based on gender, caste, class, or religion, creating a more equitable society. According to reports, the UCC portal will be launched at 12.30pm on January 27 at the Secretariat.
The UCC Act simplifies personal laws relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession. It will apply to all residents of Uttarakhand, including those living outside the state, except for Scheduled Tribes and certain protected communities.
Key highlights
– Marriage regulations: Marriage can only occur between individuals with no living spouse and the man must be at least 21 years old, and the woman 18 years old.
– Mandatory registration: Marriages must be registered within 60 days. Marriages solemnised before March 26, 2010, or outside Uttarakhand, can also be registered within six months of the Act coming into force.
– Succession and wills: Streamlined processes for creating and cancelling wills under testamentary succession.
– Expedited applications: Sub-registrars must process marriage registration applications and deliver decisions within 15 days.
CM Dhami has on many occasions said that the law is not meant to target any particular individual or community. “There is no question of targeting anyone. We have made a uniform arrangement for all. We will focus on ensuring that women, who make up 50 per cent of the population, are given more rights and protection. This law is geared toward that,” he said in a recent interview to Hindustan Times.
