Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to have UCC
Act
BAREILLY (UP) — Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday
highlighted the various initiatives undertaken in the state, reaffirming the
implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the "Devbhoomi"
this month.
Bareilly: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
addresses during the inauguration of Uttarayani Fair, in Bareilly, Thursday,
Jan. 9, 2025. (PTI Photo)
Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to have UCC
Act, which seeks to establish a uniform and an equal set of rules on marriage,
divorce, succession and inheritance for all citizens in the state, except the
Scheduled Tribes (STs), irrespective of religion. It makes registration of all
marriages and live-in relationships mandatory.
"We have formulated the Uniform Civil Code law in
Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. This is the state's first honour and will be implemented
within this month," Dhami said during the inauguration of the 29th
Uttarayani Mela in Bareilly.
He compared the UCC to India's sacred rivers such as Sharda,
Ganga, Saraswati and Kaveri, stating that just as they sustain life across the
country, the UCC will work similarly.
Regarding the state's tourism and infrastructure
initiatives, Dhami said, "In Haridwar and Rishikesh, we are planning to
develop the Ganga Corridor. Work on a corridor along the Sharda River has also
begun."
He added that Uttarakhand continues to see an increasing
influx of devotees and tourists which would be bolstered by the reconstruction
efforts in Kedarnath and the master plan underway at Badrinath Dham.
Dhami also announced beautification and restoration efforts
for temples in the Kumaon region and development at Purnagiri.
"It gives me immense joy that more devotees from Uttar
Pradesh visit Purnagiri. We are creating the Sharda Corridor, which will
enhance the ghats and beautify the area," he said.
The chief minister expressed hope for Uttarakhand becoming a
hub for destination weddings and tourism, emphasising the state's growing
reputation.
"Handicraft products from Uttarakhand are gaining
recognition among multinational companies and women in the state are doing
excellent work. Over one lakh women in Uttarakhand are now earning a
substantial income. We will provide them with interest-free loans," he
said.
On governance and security, Dhami shared progress on several
legal reforms, including the anti-conversion law, the introduction of anti-riot
legislation and measures to counter exam malpractice.
"We have taken strong steps by enacting an anti-riot
law. Any damages caused during riots will be recovered from the perpetrators.
"Similarly, with our anti-cheating law, over 100
individuals involved in exam malpractice have been jailed. This ensures fair
opportunities for deserving candidates," he added.
Dhami mentioned initiatives to combat "land
jihad", stating that 5,000 acres of encroached land have been freed. He
also discussed tackling issues like "spit jihad" with new laws to
maintain public order.
Looking ahead, the chief minister announced that the 28th
National Games would commence on January 28 in Uttarakhand, with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi set to inaugurate the event.
Earlier, Dhami inaugurated the 29th Uttarayani Mela where he
was accompanied by Bareilly MP Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, Mayor Dr Umesh Gautam
and Cantonment MLA Sanjeev Aggarwal.
The three-day fair, held at Bareilly Club Ground, showcases
Uttarakhand's culture, music and dance, delighting attendees with performances
by local artists and food stalls featuring traditional delicacies.
The UCC has been on the BJP's agenda nationally for many
years. But the party's government in Uttarakhand became the first to take a
concrete step towards implementing it just before the Lok Sabha elections last
year.
An expert committee formed by Dhami and headed by retired
Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai submitted a comprehensive draft in
four volumes to the state government in February 2024.
Acting on the draft, the state government presented the
Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Bill in the Assembly a few days later and it was
passed on February 7.
The UCC Act received President Droupadi Murmu's approval on
March 11, making the hill state the first in independent India to have a UCC
Act.
A nine-member state government-appointed panel, chaired by
former chief secretary Singh to lay down the rules for the UCC's implementation
panel, submitted its final report. Dhami has previously said in no unclear
terms that the UCC will be implemented in January.
