Dehradun: In a significant development, the Dhami cabinet has approved the rules of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during a meeting held at the Dehradun Secretariat on Monday, 20 January.
This pivotal decision paves the way for the implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand, making it the first state in India to adopt this comprehensive legal framework post-independence.
#WATCH | Dehradun | On UCC, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, “We had promised the people of Uttarakhand in 2022 that we will bring the UCC Bill as soon as our government is formed. We brought it. The draft committee drafted it, it was passed, the President approved it and… pic.twitter.com/H2hjD1qoi6
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2025
UCC could be enforced any day now
While the exact date for the implementation of the UCC has not been confirmed, the approval of the rules indicates that the code could be enforced any day now. Cabinet ministers Satpal Maharaj and Prem Chand Aggarwal have hailed the approval as a significant achievement for the state government. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized that the implementation of the UCC was a key promise in the BJP’s manifesto, which is now on the brink of being fulfilled.
Uttarakhand closer to realizing a uniform set of laws
The approval marks a major milestone in the state’s legal landscape, bringing Uttarakhand closer to realizing a uniform set of laws governing marriage, divorce, child adoption, and property division for all citizens, regardless of religion, caste, or gender.
The government has thoroughly completed its “homework
CM Dhami has emphasized that the government has thoroughly completed its “homework,” ensuring that all necessary revisions and reviews have been addressed. Following the advice of the Rules and Implementation Committee, the government proposed changes that were subsequently reviewed and approved by the Legislative Department.
The significance of the UCC
The Uniform Civil Code aims to establish a single law for all citizens regardless of religion, caste, or gender, encompassing critical aspects of civil life such as marriage, divorce, child adoption, and property division. This move aligns with Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution, which mandates the government to strive for a uniform civil code for its citizens.
Goa is the only state with pre-independence UCC
Currently, Goa is the only state in India with a special status allowing the implementation of the Portuguese Civil Code. With the introduction of the UCC, Uttarakhand will be the first state to adopt a uniform civil code after independence, setting a precedent for the rest of the country.
Block-level training sessions for government employees
The final reviewed rules are expected to be passed by the Dhami cabinet on January 20. Concurrently, block-level training sessions are being conducted for government employees to ensure a smooth transition to the new legal framework. These training sessions are anticipated to conclude by January 22, ensuring that all officials are well-versed in the new regulations before the UCC’s official implementation on January 26.
