In Madhya Pradesh, the government has established a high-level committee to assess the feasibility of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This move is intended to streamline the various personal and family laws currently practiced by different communities in the state. The committee, led by Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prasad Desai, will focus on promoting equality and fairness for all citizens by studying existing legal variations.
The committee comprises members such as retired IAS officer Shatrughna Singh, legal expert Anoop Nair, educationist Gopal Sharma, and social worker Budhpal Singh. Ajay Katesariya, Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, will serve as the committee’s Secretary. It will analyze different models from states like Uttarakhand and Gujarat, considering Madhya Pradesh’s social, cultural, and economic context, while also gathering feedback from the public and experts.
One of the key objectives is to protect the rights of women and children and address modern issues like regulating live-in relationships. The committee has a deadline of 60 days to present its findings and a draft bill. This initiative aims to simplify legal processes and enhance the state’s civil framework, as highlighted in the digitally signed order by Secretary Mukesh Kumar, signaling a step towards legal consistency and administrative improvement.
