U’khand first in India to make citizens equal under Uniform Civil Code
PNS | DEHRADUN
Uttarakhand has become the first State in the country to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for its residents on Monday. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami formally announced the implementation of the UCC and unveiled the government notification on UCC in a programme organised at his official residence. Terming the occasion historic, the CM said that the Bharatiya Janata Party government has got the mandate of the people of the State to implement the UCC in the State.
He emphasised that the UCC has been introduced to establish equality in society, making Uttarakhand the first State in India to implement this reform.
On an emotional note for having fulfilled the long cherished dream of the constitution makers, Dhami said that UCC has ensured equal constitutional and civil rights for all citizens, including women of all religions in Uttarakhand.
The CM recalled that just ahead of the Assembly elections of 2022, he had promised to the people of Uttarakhand that UCC will be implemented in the State and he was confident that the people will support the initiative.
He said that UCC is aimed at eliminating legal discrimination based on caste, religion and gender and ensures equal rights for all citizens, promotes women’s safety and empowerment, and prohibits practices like halala, triple talaq and iddat.
Dhami categorically stated that UCC is not against any religion or sect. It aims to eradicate social evils and establish equality.
He averred that after implementation of UCC the legal marriage age is now 21 for men and 18 for women of all religion and polygamy is prohibited in the State. The UCC also guarantees equal property rights for daughters and safeguards children’s rights. Dhami said that under UCC live-in relationships will also be registered and it will ensure security to the youngsters and their parents.
The CM declared that January 27 will be observed annually as Uniform Civil Code Day in Uttarakhand.
In his address the chairperson of the regulation drafting committee, Shatrughan Singh that Uttarakhand has created history by fulfilling a very sensitive dream of the constitution makers.
He said that the focus of the committee was to prepare a regulation which ensures time bound delivery of services with accountability.
In the programme the CM launched the UCC portal (ucc.uk.gov.in), and released the UCC rulebook.
The ceremony was attended by cabinet ministers Premchand Aggarwal, Ganesh Joshi, Subodh Uniyal, Rekha Arya, Saurabh Bahuguna, BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal and senior officers of State administration and Police.
Early birds praise UCC portal
DEHRADUN : Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami became the first official user of the UCC portal on Saturday by registering his marriage on the portal. The chief secretary Radha Raturi handed over his marriage registration certificate in the ceremony.
In the programme the CM also handed over certificates to five applicants who registered their marriage under the new law. Anjali Verma who registered her marriage on the UCC portal told The Pioneer that the portal is very user friendly and simple. She said that everyone should register their marriage in the UCC portal.
