Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared that Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in the state from January 2025. This will make the BJP-ruled hill state to become the first one to implement UCC after independence.
In order to ensure convenience of the general public, a mobile application and a portal have been prepared to implement the Uniform Civil Code. This app will enable the people of the state to avail facilities such as registration and appeal, making it convenient for them to access everything online.
According to a statement by the Chief Minister's Office, Dhami had directed all the officers to ensure that the basic facilities are arranged for and the personnel are given proper training to implement provisions of the code. He had also asked to keep majority of the services online for the convenience of the general public.
"The Chief Minister said that the State Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand in January 2025. The Uniform Civil Code law of Uttarakhand will give a new direction to the society by following the basic spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas. This law will open new doors for empowerment especially for the women and children of Devbhoomi," the statement read.
"The Chief Minister said that in view of the convenience of the general public, a portal and mobile app have also been prepared to implement the Uniform Civil Code. Through which all the facilities of registration, appeal etc. are being made available through online medium," it added.
Announcing the implementation of UCC in Uttarakhand from next month, CM Dhami stated in a post on X, "Taking a historic step towards making Uttarakhand just and equitable, we have decided to implement the Uniform Civil Code from January 2025. Today, in the UIIDB meeting, necessary instructions were given to the officials on this subject."
"Under the successful leadership of the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand is rapidly moving towards becoming the first state in the country to implement the 'Uniform Civil Code'. While on one hand this step will prove to be a milestone in the direction of strengthening social equality and unity, on the other hand, our state will also emerge as a pathfinder for other states," he added.
The UCC Bill was signed on March 11 this year, paving way for it to be turned into a law. Following this, a nine-member committee prepared rules related to the procedures and implementation of the UCC Act.
The bill has seven schedules and 392 sections and focuses on four key areas including divorce, marriage, live-in relationships, and inheritance. There are other provisions for ending practices such as halala, polygamy, polyandry, iddat, and giving inheritance rights to females and males.