Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has moved a step closer to implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), as the high-level committee formed for the implementation of the UCC in the state submitted its detailed final report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

The report was prepared by the committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai after an extensive study, visits to various districts across the state, collection of public opinions, and close interaction with citizens. The report has now been formally submitted to the state government.

The committee, led by Justice Desai, includes retired senior IAS officer C.L. Meena, senior advocate R.C. Kodekar, former Vice-Chancellor Dr. Dakshesh Thakar, and social activist Geeta Shroff.

According to an official press release, the presentation made while submitting the report to the Chief Minister stated that the draft proposes a uniform legal framework applicable to all religions and communities on matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. The draft gives special emphasis to ensuring equal rights and protection for women. The report also takes into account the geographical and cultural diversity of Gujarat while making its recommendations.

When Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, Chairperson of the High-Level Committee constituted for the implementation of the UCC in Gujarat, handed over the three volumes of the report to the Chief Minister, several senior officials were present. These included the committee’s advisor and former Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh, Chief Secretary M.K. Das, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjeev Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Vikrant Pandey, Secretary (Legislative Affairs) K.N. Lala, Law Secretary Upendra Bhatt, and other concerned officers.

It is learnt that discussions on the proposed UCC Bill may take place during the ongoing Assembly session. A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee is scheduled in the evening to decide the legislative agenda.

The report is likely to be tabled in the Assembly on March 23, while the government may introduce the UCC Bill in the House on March 24, a day before the conclusion of the current Budget Session. If passed, Gujarat will become the second state after Uttarakhand to implement a Uniform Civil Code. DeshGujarat