Uttarakhand takes lead in implementing Uniform Civil Code

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on February 1  that the state is on the path to becoming the first in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Dhami, addressing the media, stated, "I've received the draft; it will be examined, and then it will be implemented. We had promised the people of Uttarakhand during the state elections, and they formed our government. So, we are keeping that promise, and we hope other states will also implement it."

The much-anticipated UCC draft, spanning a substantial 740 pages across four volumes, was submitted to Chief Minister Dhami earlier in the day by a committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The document received suggestions from a staggering 2,33,000 people, showcasing the extensive public participation in the formulation process.

Dhami, acknowledging the significance of the draft, said, "We will examine the report and then move ahead." He also revealed that the state government would approve the draft in a cabinet meeting scheduled for Saturday. The draft is expected to be presented as a bill during a special four-day session of the Uttarakhand assembly, commencing on February 5 and concluding on February 8.

Security measures were heightened around Dhami's official residence in anticipation of the UCC draft submission. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude towards the people of Uttarakhand, terming it an "important day" for the state. He emphasized that the implementation of the UCC aligns with the vision of "Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat."