Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that the country needed a uniform policy.

Guwahati:

Less than three weeks after Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to pass a law on Uniform Civil Code, Assam has taken its first step towards a similar law and decided to repeal the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act. Have done.

Making the announcement on Friday, Assam minister Jayant Malla Barua said the decision has been taken by the cabinet. Sources said a bill is likely to be introduced in the Assam Assembly, whose session is scheduled to last till February 28.

Pointing out that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said several times, including after the Uttarakhand Bill was passed on February 7, that Assam is planning to bring a law on the Uniform Civil Code, Mr. Barua said, “A A very important decision has been taken accordingly. The Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, 1935 will be repealed and no Muslim marriage or divorce will be registered under the Act. We want that all such cases Be under the Special Marriage Act.”

Saying that the decision will also help in reducing child marriage, the minister said that 94 Muslim registrars, who were registering marriages under the Act, will be given a lump sum compensation of Rs 2 lakh.

Uniform Civil Code refers to a common set of laws that apply to all Indian citizens and are not based on religion in dealing with marriage, divorce, inheritance and other personal matters including adoption.

On February 12, Chief Minister Sarma had said, “The Assam cabinet has discussed both the anti-polygamy and UCC bills. We were working on the anti-polygamy bill while Uttarakhand passed the UCC. An expert committee will look at aligning the two aspects.” Is working.” So we can bring stronger laws.”

“Now the country needs a uniform policy. We have to align our bills, so we will have a round of discussions with our central leaders also. These are long-term reforms,” ​​he said.