Uttarakhand to implement Uniform Civil Code on Republic Day
What's the story
The state of Uttarakhand is gearing up to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by January 26, 2025. The new initiative mandates registration for all live-in couples and video recordings of witnesses in testamentary succession cases. To ease the transition, the state government has started training officials on a newly introduced UCC portal to handle registrations and complaints related to civil matters.
Portal launch
New UCC portal: A comprehensive platform for civil matters
The UCC portal, a one-stop platform for dealing with civil matters, asks for Aadhaar details for registration. It is meant for citizens, service center staff, and government officials. The portal provides a host of services such as registration of marriages, divorces, live-in relationships, and testamentary succession. If there are objections to a marriage or live-in relationship, complaints can be filed through this portal for transparency and fairness.
Succession transparency
UCC portal to enhance transparency in succession processes
In testamentary succession cases, both declarants and heirs have to submit their Aadhaar details through the UCC portal. Witnesses also have to upload video recordings of themselves reading the succession declaration. This move is intended to improve transparency and minimize possible disputes in succession processes. The state government has set up three assistance centers for technical and legal aid to facilitate these changes and ensure the smooth implementation of the UCC.
CM's statement
UCC promotes equality and justice: Uttarakhand CM
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said the UCC promotes equality and justice by ensuring all citizens are governed by uniform laws irrespective of their religion, caste, or community. He had announced the UCC would be implemented during the "Uttarayani" festival phase starting with "Makar Sankranti". Dhami also said personnel training for the new system is in its final stages and an official launch date will be announced soon.
Pre-poll promise
UCC implementation fulfills pre-poll promise
The introduction of a Uniform Civil Code was a key pre-poll promise of Dhami ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly polls. The announcement comes as Uttarakhand gears up for urban local body polls on January 23. Dhami expressed confidence in public support for Bharatiya Janata Party candidates in these polls and thanked Uttarakhand for hosting the National Games, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on January 28.