The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) draft report is expected to be submitted to the Uttarakhand Government by July 15.
According to a top source, “The draft report on the Uniform Civil Code could be submitted to the Uttarakhand Government by July 15. The expert committee is currently busy giving its final touches to the draft report.” The sources stated further that another important meeting of the committee with regard to the draft report on the Uniform Civil Code will be held in Delhi on July 9.
The committee that is drafting the Uniform Civil Code for Uttarakhand has held consultations with a variety of stakeholders, including citizens, Religious leaders and legal experts. The committee’s report is expected to include documents and annexures that support its recommendations.
Further, as per the sources, the documents and annexures linked to the relevant legal provisions were also included in support of the recommendations, along with the preparation of the committee’s report.
“Along with the compilation of the report by the committee, the documents and annexures related to the related legal provisions are also included in favour of the recommendations. All these documents will form part of the report,” the source added.
According to sources, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that a special Vidhan Sabha session may also be convened on the Uniform Civil Code, if necessary.
“Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has indicated that, if necessary, a special session of the Vidhan Sabha can also be called on the Uniform Civil Code,” said the source.
On June 30, amid fresh debate around the Uniform Civil Code , Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the committee tasked with preparing the draft of the Uniform Civil Code, which is to be implemented in the state, worked with a cross-section of citizens over the last one year and spoke to more than 2 lakh people and key stakeholders.
The draft is nearing completion, the Chief Minister informed. Speaking to ANI on July 6, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the committee was to submit its final draft to the government on July 6, but will now do so in July.
He claimed that Uttarakhand would emerge as a shining example before the whole country with regard to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.
“Uttarakhand Government has taken upon itself the responsibility of implementing the Uniform Civil Code. Article 44 of our Constitution states that the law should be equal for everyone. The people of Uttarakhand have supported it (Uniform Civil Code) and have shown us the way. It is a great honour and an opportunity for our state to implement the ideas and principles the Constitution was founded on,” Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said.
A Uniform Civil Code means that all sections of the society, irrespective of their religion, shall be treated equally according to a national civil code, which shall be applicable to all uniformly. They cover areas like- Marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption and succession of the property.
Benefits of Uniform Civil Code
- National Integration and Secularism
Uniform Civil Code would promote national integration and secularism by creating a common identity and sense of belonging among all citizens.
- Gender Justice and Equality
Uniform Civil Code would ensure gender justice and equality by removing the discrimination and oppression faced by women under various personal laws.
- Simplification and Rationalisation of the legal system
Uniform Civil Code would simplify and rationalise the legal system by removing the complexities and contradictions of multiple personal laws.
- Modernisation and Reform of outdated and regressive practices
Uniform Civil Code would modernise and reform the outdated and regressive practices that are prevalent in some personal laws.
