Rajasthan Cabinet clears UCC, Tree Protection Bills ahead of local polls

The Rajasthan Cabinet on Aug 13 approved several key proposals ahead of the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming panchayat and local body elections. Among the major decisions was approval of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill and the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill.

Both Bills are scheduled to be introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly during the session beginning Aug 20.

The Cabinet also approved a two-year relaxation in the mandatory service period required for promotion of state government employees and officials.

Cabinet Minister Jogaram Patel said the government's objective is to realise the principle of 'One State, One Law.'

The Cabinet approved the proposed UCC Bill, which seeks to bring provisions relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships under a common legal framework.

However, customs and traditions followed by tribal communities have been kept outside the proposed law.

Under the proposed legislation, marriage registration will be mandatory within 60 days. Registration of divorce will also be compulsory, while information regarding the commencement and termination of live-in relationships will have to be submitted.

A fine of Rs 10,000 has been proposed for failure to comply with the registration requirements.

Once enacted, the proposed UCC will prohibit polygamy, or marriage to more than one person at a time. At the same time, the law will provide for remarriage without the restrictions that previously applied in some communities.

The proposed inheritance provisions seek to establish equal property rights for sons and daughters across religions.

The Bill also proposes changes concerning the rights of grandchildren to ancestral property. Under the proposed framework, a grandson would retain rights to property in circumstances where his father dies before his grandfather.

The Cabinet also approved the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, aimed at strengthening the conservation of trees across the state.

According to Minister Jogaram Patel, the proposed legislation will prohibit the felling of 29 specified tree species, including Khejri, revered as the Kalp Vriksh, and Rohida, Rajasthan's state tree.

The move has been described as an effort to protect the environment while respecting the sentiments of the spiritual seers and environmentalists.

However, felling of protected trees may be permitted in special circumstances after obtaining approval from the competent authority. The proposed law provides for a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment of up to one year for unauthorised felling of protected trees.

The provisions will also apply to trees on private land, subject to the exclusions specified in the legislation. Where tree felling is considered necessary, prior permission from the competent authority will be mandatory.

Permission to cut a protected tree will be linked to compensatory plantation. Under the proposed provisions, the applicant will have to ensure plantation of 10 per cent more trees than the number of trees felled and maintain them. If the applicant is unable to undertake the plantation, they will be required to deposit the prescribed amount with the government. The government will then 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. Although the government had announced the relaxation in the state Budget, the necessary notification could not be issued in the absence of Cabinet approval.

Employees who have not availed themselves of this benefit during the last three years will now be eligible for the relaxation, subject to the applicable conditions.

The Cabinet's decisions come ahead of the Model Code of Conduct expected to be imposed for the upcoming panchayat and local body elections.

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