Dehradun – The Uttarakhand government is preparing to implement a new requirement under the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), making marriage registration mandatory for couples to avail the benefits of government schemes. This will apply not only to new and future marriages but also to already married couples. The provision is set to be included in the UCC regulations, aiming to promote marriage registration by linking it with various government schemes.
Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and Shatrughan Singh, a member of the UCC committee, have directed departments to prepare proposals to incorporate marriage registration into their welfare programs.
The state government plans to implement the UCC by November 9, ahead of the state’s foundation day. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has already expressed his commitment to this initiative. The UCC rules are currently being finalized, and along with marriage registration, there is a focus on registering live-in relationships as well.
Review Meeting with Various Departments –
A review meeting was held at Bijapur Guest House, chaired by Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and UCC committee member Shatrughan Singh, to discuss the involvement of different departments. The meeting included representatives from departments like Home, Police, Health, Excise, Minority Welfare, Culture, Food and Civil Supplies, Energy, Planning, and Finance. Discussions centered on making marriage registration compulsory to access benefits under various welfare schemes.
For instance, the Health Department’s Ayushman scheme, the Food Department’s free ration program, and other programs offering subsidized essentials like cooking gas and salt will now require marriage registration. Similarly, the Planning Department’s Family Identification Card and the Energy Department’s billing concessions and solar energy subsidies will also require marriage registration.
Departments have been instructed to amend their rules and regulations to include this requirement.
New and Old Marriages Must Be Registered –
This new requirement applies to both new and existing marriages. Departments have been asked to submit proposals to amend their respective rules to incorporate this change.
Attendees at the meeting included UCC committee members Manu Gaur and Surekha Dangwal, Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar, Special Principal Secretary Amit Sinha, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, and other departmental officials.
