Politics · India Bureau
West Bengal to draft uniform civil code within six months, official says
The West Bengal government has established a high-level committee to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code for the state, with officials indicating plans to implement the legislation similar to models adopted in Uttarakhand and Gujarat.
LSN India ·
West Bengal's government has constituted a senior-level committee headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to review a proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) specific to the state, according to government announcements.
The move comes as several Indian states have moved toward adopting unified civil codes to standardize personal laws. Officials from the West Bengal administration have indicated that the state aims to complete its legislative framework within a six-month timeframe, with plans to model the implementation on approaches taken by Uttarakhand and Gujarat.
The committee's primary mandate involves examining the draft UCC and preparing recommendations for state lawmakers. Justice Desai's appointment reflects the government's stated commitment to establishing a comprehensive civil code that would address inheritance, marriage, and related personal matters across the state's diverse population.
The initiative represents a significant policy shift in West Bengal, where multiple personal law systems currently govern different religious and community groups. State officials have indicated that provisions addressing certain land-related concerns will be included within the proposed framework.