By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 6 Feb: Prof Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor of Doon University and a member of the expert committee that drafted Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC), today made it clear that the UCC registration is not linked to the state’s domicile or permanent residence certificate in any manner. She stated that the registration applies to all individuals residing in Uttarakhand for at least one year to help preserve the state’s demographic structure.
In a statement issued today on the UCC provisions, Prof Dangwal explained that the code pertains to personal laws governing marriage, divorce, live-in relationships, and wills. It has no bearing on permanent residence or domicile status and does not offer any additional benefits. The conditions for permanent residence remain unchanged and they were not part of the UCC committee’s considerations.
She compared UCC registration to voter card eligibility, where residence in a location for a certain period allows registration as a voter in that area. She asserted that the objective is to regulate personal laws to protect Uttarakhand’s society and culture while ensuring demographic stability. Dangwal added that the registration also helps monitor individuals with criminal tendencies.
The Doon University Vice Chancellor reminded that a significant number of people from other states reside in Uttarakhand and avail themselves of government schemes. Moving forward, such benefits will only be accessible after UCC registration. If the law was restricted to permanent residents, many non-residents would have continued enjoying government schemes without any regulation. Moreover, the state currently lacks official records of marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships involving non-residents. The UCC aims to provide a structured registration process for all residents while enhancing the government’s database.
According to Prof Dangwal, this move would reinforce the institution of marriage, which remains fundamental to the prosperity of society.
Live in relationships: Only Registrar can examine UCC documents, says Surekha Dangwal
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 6 Feb: Prof Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor of Doon University and a member of the committee that drafted the UCC, today clarified that only the registrars are authorised to examine the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) related documents submitted by the applicants.
She said that since the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, all types of registrations are being conducted under this code. Dangwal made it clear that documents submitted for live-in registration under the UCC will only be examined at the level of the Registrar, with no other agency or individual involved.
Dangwal stated that, according to UCC rules, upon receiving a live-in application, the Registrar will electronically provide the statement of the live-in relationship to the officer in charge of the local police station through the District Superintendent of Police. Access to this record by any person, including the officer in charge of the local police station, will only occur under the supervision of the District Superintendent of Police. It has been emphasised in the rules that, while sharing information with the police, the Registrar must clearly state that the information related to the statement of the live-in relationship is being provided solely for archival purposes. A high level of confidentiality will be maintained for such applications, Prof Dangwal asserted.
She also reminded that since a child born out of a live-in relationship is given the same rights as a biological child, this type of live-in registration will strengthen the institution of marriage, which has been the foundation of social prosperity.
