India's 1st Uniform Civil Code gets nod in U'khand House

The Uttarakhand assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2024 by voice vote after a debate spanning two days to become the first state in India to pass such a law, with chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami terming it a "historic moment" for the country.

- Amit Bathla & Neeraj Santoshi

After the bill was passed, Dhami told reporters that the bill would be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for consent.

The proposed law overrides several national laws on marriage and property inheritance.

"After we get approval from the President, we will start the process for its implementation in the state," he said.

Officials said that once the bill is approved by the President and notified, the state government will frame the rules for its implementation. They, however, refused to give a time frame for implementation, saying drafting of the rules will start only after

President approves the bill.

Dhami said with the passage of the bill they have fulfilled the promise made to the people before the 2022 assembly elections. In his address to the house before the passage of the bill, Dhami said it was a "historic opportunity" to frame such a law that provides a "common legal framework" for all.