Rajasthan Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code And Tree Protection Bill
Rajasthan Cabinet approves UCC and Tree Protection Bill proposals.
The Rajasthan Cabinet on Thursday approved several key proposals, including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill and the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, ahead of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming panchayat and local body elections. Both Bills are scheduled to be introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly during the session beginning August 20.
Cabinet Minister Jogaram Patel said the proposed UCC legislation aims to establish a common legal framework covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships. Tribal customs and traditions have been kept outside the proposed law. The Bill proposes mandatory registration of marriages within 60 days, along with compulsory registration of divorce and submission of information regarding the beginning and end of live-in relationships.
The proposed legislation also seeks to prohibit polygamy and provide for remarriage without restrictions that previously applied in some communities. It proposes equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters across religions and includes provisions concerning grandchildren's rights to ancestral property. A fine of Rs 10,000 has been proposed for failure to comply with specified registration requirements.
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The Cabinet also cleared the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, which seeks to strengthen safeguards for 29 specified tree species, including Khejri, regarded as the Kalp Vriksh, and Rohida, the state tree. The proposed law would require prior permission for the felling of protected trees, including those on private land, subject to specified exemptions. Unauthorised felling could attract a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment of up to one year.
Under the proposed tree protection framework, permission to fell a protected tree would be linked to compensatory plantation. Applicants would have to plant and maintain 10 per cent more trees than the number felled. Those unable to undertake plantation would have to deposit the prescribed amount with the government, which would use the funds for plantation activities.
The Cabinet also approved a two-year relaxation in the prescribed service or experience requirement for promotion of state government employees and officials. The relaxation had been announced in the state Budget but required Cabinet approval for implementation. Employees who have not availed themselves of the benefit during the previous three years will now be eligible, subject to applicable conditions. The decisions come ahead of the expected imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming local body elections.
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