"Aim to seek everyone's opinion...": Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar on 7-member committee to draft UCC rules
Mumbai, July 10
Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar underscored that the formation of the seven-member panel to draft Uniform Civil Code rules fulfils a commitment previously made to the House by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The goal is to seek everyone's opinion and present the UCC bill for formal discussion during the upcoming winter session in December.
Spekaing to ANI, Shelar notified that the expert panel is charged with the technical responsibility of drafting the proposed law.
"During the last session, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified and informed the House that a committee of experts would be constituted to draft the Uniform Civil Code law for Maharashtra. Today, a 7-member committee has been formed, chaired by former Justice Ranjana Desai. It includes other members such as a former Advocate General, a former Chief Secretary, and various experts. This committee will draft the legislation. The Chief Minister has announced that the aim is to seek everyone's opinion and present the bill for discussion during the upcoming December session," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, Fadnavis announced that the committee to draft the UCC rules in the state of Maharashtra will be headed by former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai.
The Committee consists of a total of seven members, including three former judges from the Supreme Court or High Court, one constitutional expert, one former bureaucrat and two from the social sector.
Along with Desai, the panel will have former High Court Justice RC Chavan, former High Court Justice SG Mehere, former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra DK Jain, former Advocate General of Maharashtra Birendra Saraf, Social activist Padmashri Ramesh Patange, and Educationalist Suvarna Rawal as core members.
CM Fadnavis stated that this seven-member committee will comprehensively study all legal, social, and administrative aspects related to the Uniform Civil Code and submit a report with its recommendations to the state government within the next six months. Based on the committee's report, the government will finalise the draft of the Uniform Civil Code.
He added that the state government will strive to introduce and pass the Uniform Civil Code bill in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council in the upcoming Nagpur winter session.
The Chief Minister said that the government will proceed on this issue by following all necessary constitutional and legal procedures, so that concrete and effective steps can be taken towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state.
The move comes at a time when discussions on the UCC have gained momentum across the country. Uttarakhand became the first state after Independence to enact a Uniform Civil Code, and its experience is expected to be closely studied by Maharashtra while preparing its own draft.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Glad to see they're setting up an expert committee instead of just pushing this through. Justice Ranjana Desai is a respected name. But I hope the "social sector" members truly represent diverse views, not just those who already agree with the government's stance. Real consultation is key - not just ticking boxes.
It's impressive how India is tackling this complex issue state by state. The committee composition looks solid - former judges, bureaucrats, and social workers. UCC is a secular concept that most modern democracies follow. India should have done this decades ago. Good that Maharashtra is moving forward.
While UCC sounds good in principle, I'm worried about how it will affect tribal communities and their customary laws. Maharashtra has many Adivasi groups with unique traditions. The committee should visit rural areas and talk to actual people, not just constitutional experts in Mumbai. Otherwise this will face huge opposition.
Excellent move! For too long, personal laws have divided Indians based on religion. A common civil code will strengthen national unity. The six-month timeline for the report sounds reasonable. Hope the winter session actually sees this bill passed. Need of the hour! 🙏
It's been interesting watching India's UCC journey since independence. The committee seems well-qualified - three former judges plus legal and administrative experts. But I wonder how they'll handle the Muslim personal law issues, especially around marriage and inheritance. That's always the most contentious part. Let's see what happens in Nagpur session.
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