The Uttarakhand assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2024, by a voice vote, making the state a potential model for others looking to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The bill, which will come into effect through notification in the gazette after receiving the governor’s consent, aims to govern and regulate laws related to marriage and divorce, succession, live-in relationships, and other related matters.

UCC will make marriage registration mandatory in the state, offer protection to the rights of children and women, and include provisions for partners in live-in relationships. While the Opposition Congress demanded that the bill be referred to the select committee, it was passed after discussions resumed in the House.

Once the bill receives the governor’s consent, Uttarakhand will become the first state post-independence to introduce the UCC. The UCC initiative seeks to eradicate discrimination based on caste, religion, region, and gender in personal civil matters.

Speaking about the significance of the bill, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami stated, “The Uniform Civil Code Bill is just a small contribution offered by our state in the great ‘yagya’ being done by the PM Narendra Modi to make the country a developed, organised, harmonious, and self-reliant nation.” He further emphasized that the bill aims to bring uniformity to all laws that pertain to personal civil matters.

As per the provisions of the UCC, children born outside marriage, in live-in relationships, or those adopted or born artificially will be treated equally and have equal rights to parental properties.

The implementation of the UCC was a part of CM Dhami’s election campaign, and a five-member committee was promptly constituted by the Dhami government, led by justice Ranjana Desai (retd), to draft a report.

Read more: [Uttarakhand Assembly Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/uttarakhand-gets-a-uniform-civil-law/articleshow/107503425.cms)