The Dhami government in Uttarakhand is making significant strides in implementing the UCC, aiming for an October rollout, a pioneering move for India. Over half of the UCC rule drafting is completed, but the implementation phase requires further time for essential employee training at Panchayat and municipal levels.
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DEHRADUN: Recently, The Dhami government in Uttarakhand is making notable progress towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a first for India. The state aims to roll out this groundbreaking law by the end of October. Sources indicate that more than half of the UCC rule drafting has been completed, with the remaining work projected to conclude in the next two and a half months. Nonetheless, the implementation phase will take additional time as it involves essential training for employees at the Panchayat and municipal levels.
In an effort to expedite the process, the Home Department has been instructed to develop a comprehensive training program. This initiative aims to ensure that all relevant employees are adequately prepared for the new regulations.
One of the key features of the new UCC law will be the provision for online registration of marriages and live-in relationships. To facilitate this, approximately 70% of the work on developing the necessary website and portal has already been completed. This digital initiative is expected to streamline the registration process, making it more accessible and efficient for the residents of Uttarakhand.
The intricate task of formulating the UCC rules has been entrusted to a nine-member committee chaired by former Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh. This committee was established in the second week of February and has since been diligently working on the project. The committee’s efforts are crucial in ensuring that the UCC regulations are comprehensive and effective, covering all necessary aspects of civil law.
The UCC committee, headed by Shatrughan Singh, has been pivotal in crafting the regulations that will govern this transition.
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Singh revealed that-
More than 50% of the UCC rule drafting has been completed, and we expect to finalize the remaining tasks within the next two and a half months.
Adding a technological edge to legal formalities, the committee is set to introduce a mobile application designed to simplify the process of marriage and live-in relationship registration.
Shatrughan Singh outlined the convenience this innovation aims to provide:
“Under the Act, registration has become mandatory for individuals in both marriage and live-in relationships. Additionally, online registration is also an available option,”
He further detailed the progress on this front, stating-
“The development of the website and portal is progressing speedy, with the ITDA having completed 70 percent of the tasks,” affirmed a spokesperson overseeing the project.
This mobile application will enable individuals to register their unions from the comfort of their homes, using just their smartphones.
But the rollout of the UCC involves more than just digital solutions. It also requires a robust training program for the personnel who will enforce and oversee these new regulations. Singh emphasized the need for thorough preparation before the UCC can be fully implemented:
“Provisions for registration will be facilitated through panchayats and municipal bodies in both rural and urban areas. To facilitate this, employees stationed at the panchayat and municipal levels will undergo training on the UCC Act and its regulations,” a government spokesperson elaborated. In support of this initiative, “the Home Department has been urged to devise a comprehensive training program.”
The training is expected to span several months, as outlined by Singh:
“Efforts are underway to prepare the draft of the rules of the UCC law within the next two and a half months. However, before its implementation, it is imperative to train the employees of the bodies and panchayats,”
He also noted-
“A request has been made to the Home Secretary in this regard. The training program will take at least one and a half to two months,”
This detailed planning suggests that the UCC could potentially be operational by October, following the completion of both the rule drafting and the training sessions.
ABOUT UCC (Uniform Civil Code):
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposed legal framework that seeks to replace India’s current personal laws, which vary by religion, with a single set of laws governing issues like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens. The main goals of the UCC are to ensure gender equality, uphold secularism, simplify the legal system, and promote social reform.
Key Aspects of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC):
- Unified Legal Framework: The UCC aims to establish a single set of secular laws that apply to all citizens, irrespective of their religion. This would replace the existing personal laws that differ for Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and other religious communities.
- Gender Equality: One of the primary motivations behind the UCC is to ensure gender equality. Many personal laws are seen as discriminatory towards women, and a uniform code would aim to eliminate these disparities.
- Secularism: The UCC aligns with the secular principles of the Indian Constitution, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally under the law without any preference or discrimination based on religion.
- Uniform Laws: By having a single set of laws for all citizens, the UCC would simplify the legal framework and reduce the complexity and confusion arising from the coexistence of multiple legal systems.
- Social Reform: The UCC is also seen as a tool for social reform, modernizing laws to reflect contemporary values and norms, and ensuring justice and fairness for all individuals.
