The Uttarakhand Assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill. With this move, Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement the UCC after independence.
The Bill was passed by voice vote.
The Bill was tabled by the CM in the state Assembly on Tuesday. The Bill proposes common law on marriage, divorce, land, property and inheritance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion. However, it exempts the Scheduled Tribes from its purview.
The key proposals in the Bill include – partners in live-in relationships have to register it with a registrar, polygamy and bigamy are not allowed, no difference between ancestral property and self-acquired property for interstate succession for Hindus, marriage age fixed at 21 years for boys and 18 for girls, among others.
Addressing the media, following the passage of the Bill, the CM said that it is a “special day” for the state. “The long-awaited UCC Bill has been passed in the Uttarakhand Assembly.UCC has not been brought to oppose someone, but to provide equality and empowerment to a large section of the society.”
He further stated, “UCC is in favour of everyone; important factors such as marriage, divorce, live-in relationship and alimony have been included in the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Bill 2024. We will send the Bill for President’s assent and till then, will make necessary arrangements in the state for its implementation.