The Chhattisgarh cabinet on Wednesday held a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to ensure the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and women’s empowerment through a 50% reduction in property registration charges for them.
The cabinet has approved the formation of a high-level committee, which will be headed by the retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and members authorised by the Chief Minister. This committee will engage with citizens, organisations, and legal experts to gather wide-ranging feedback, potentially through a dedicated web portal, to prepare a comprehensive draft regarding the UCC.
The committee will place its recommendations before the state cabinet. Once approved, the draft recommendations will be placed before the state assembly for legislative consideration.
At present, personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance are governed by religion-specific personal laws, leading to variations and complexities in the legal process. The proposed UCC aims to introduce a single, uniform legal framework applicable to all citizens, thereby simplifying laws, ensuring consistency in judicial procedures, and promoting gender and social equality.
The move is aligned with Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the state to work towards a Uniform Civil Code as part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Meanwhile, it has come to light that the 50% reduction in the property registration charges for women might lead to a burden on the state exchequer, as the state might end up losing a staggering Rs 153 crore in revenue.
However, as per a report by ANI, the state administration is considering the implementation as a long-standing investment which will enhance the property ownership of women in urban and rural areas in the near future.
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