Guwahati: The Uttarakhand government on Monday rolled out the Uniform Civil Code, promoting legal equality among all castes and religions.
The rules manual for the UCC and a portal for applications under the new rules were inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the CM’s camp office in Dehradun.
Uttarakhand has become the first Indian state to implement the UCC.
“The UCC’s implementation represents a significant milestone, making the Himalayan state the first in the country to adopt this progressive legislation since independence,” Dhami said.
CM Dhami said that the UCC was drafted after extensive consultations with experts, locals, and representatives from various communities, with the goal of bringing uniformity in society and empowering women.
The Cabinet approved the rules manual on January 20. On January 13, the Uttarakhand government began training its officials to help familiarise them with the UCC portal.
The UCC applies to all residents of Uttarakhand, except Scheduled Tribes and protected authority-empowered persons and communities.
The UCC addresses various societal issues, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. It aims to simplify and standardize personal laws across religions.
Key aspects of the law include the registration of marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships to ensure equal property rights and protect children’s rights, with penalties for non-compliance.
The law also addresses issues related to the creation and cancellation of wills and codicils under testamentary succession.
ALSO READ: Uniform Civil Code key to national integration, says Ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi
The UCC clarifies legal requirements for marriage, stating that only mentally capable individuals aged 21 (for men) or 18 (for women) who are not already married may enter into a union.
Marriages can be performed according to religious customs, but registration will be mandatory to ensure legal recognition.
