Citizens’ opinions essential for implementing UCC, says panel chief

Gandhinagar: Retired Justice of Supreme Court Ranjana Desai, chairperson of the committee formed to assess the need for implementing the Uniform Civil Code and prepare a draft for the same, said on Wednesday that it was crucial to get the opinions of citizens before implementing the UCC in the state.As part of its plans to visit various districts and gather opinions and feedback from citizens, a meeting was held at the Gandhinagar circuit house on Wednesday, where citizens, along with district administration officials, provided their feedback to the panel on the UCC.Quoting panel chairperson Ranjana Desai, an official statement said, "It is essential to know the citizens' opinions before implementing a UCC in the state. The draft of the UCC will be prepared considering equality, and the interests of women and children. After studying the citizens' feedback, the committee will present a report to the govt as soon as possible."The statement said that residents of Gandhinagar presented their views to the UCC committee on topics such as marriage, divorce, maintenance, property rights, religion-based family laws, rights of women in live-in relationships, financial assistance, and inheritance rights.Gandhinagar mayor Meena Patel, district panchayat president Shilpa Patel, MLAs Rita Patel and JS Patel, district collector Mehul Dave, district development officer (DDO) BJ Patel, Gujarat Sahitya Academy director Bhagyesh Jha, and others attended the meeting, the statement added.Desai and other committee members, including retired IAS officer CL Meena, advocate RC Kodekar, educationist Dakshesh Thaker, and social worker Gita Shroff, paid a courtesy visit to the CM on Wednesday.The panel was formed on Feb 4. On Tuesday, the state govt extended the term of the panel by 45 days.
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