Dehradun: In a historic move towards legal uniformity, Uttarakhand is set to become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This landmark legislation, which has stirred political debates and garnered national attention, will be officially rolled out on January 27, just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in the state for National Games inaugural ceremony on 28 January.
The implementation of the UCC marks a significant step towards ensuring uniformity in civil laws across the state. The announcement was made by Home Secretary and Secretary to the Chief Minister, Shailesh Bagauli, who revealed that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will inaugurate the rules and portal for implementing the UCC at ‘Mukhya Sevak Sadan’ located at the Chief Minister’s residence on January 27, at 12:30 PM.
Video tutorials have been prepared to guide the public through the provisions of the UCC
Following the implementation, a comprehensive public awareness campaign will be launched to educate the people of Uttarakhand about the new rules and how to apply on the UCC portal. Video tutorials have been prepared to guide the public through the provisions of the UCC Act and the application process on the portal. Workshops will also be conducted in universities and with various stakeholders to ensure widespread awareness and understanding of the UCC.
A mock drill was conducted in Dehradun for UCC portal
The countdown for the implementation of the UCC has begun, with hands-on training sessions and mock drills being organized to prepare the officers and employees involved in the process. A mock drill was conducted in Dehradun, where employees of the Common Service Center (CSC) applied on the UCC portal, and the applications were accepted and rejected by the Registrar. This exercise aimed to ensure that the officers are well-prepared and do not face any issues in the future.
Shailesh Bagauli emphasized the importance of the mock drill, stating that it was conducted to ensure that the officers do not face any problems in the future. He also mentioned that video tutorials related to working on the UCC portal have been prepared in Hindi and are being made available to all the officers associated with the UCC portal.
A mobile app for the UCC has also been developed
In addition to the portal, a mobile app for the UCC has also been developed. This app will enable people to apply through their mobile devices, ensuring accessibility even in remote areas. The CSC facilities, available in almost all rural areas of the state, will also provide support to those who need assistance with the application process.
Theoretical training on how to accept or reject applications on the app
The UCC Rules were approved in a cabinet meeting held on January 20, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Following this approval, the process of implementing the UCC at the government level has accelerated. The training sessions for officers, which lasted for about 10 to 15 days, have been completed. These sessions provided theoretical training on how to accept or reject applications on the app, handle appeals, and dispose of them. The employees of the CSC have also been trained to assist people who cannot apply on their own.
State’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and effective implementation of the UCC
The implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand is a historic step towards legal uniformity and is expected to set a precedent for other states in India. The comprehensive awareness campaign, training sessions, and the development of the UCC portal and mobile app demonstrate the state’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and effective implementation of the UCC. As the countdown begins, the people of Uttarakhand eagerly await the roll-out of this landmark legislation.
