MP UCC Panel Submits Report, Recommends Excluding Scheduled Tribes

The committee constituted by the Madhya Pradesh government to draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) submitted its report to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday, recommending that Scheduled Tribes be excluded from the ambit of the proposed law .

According to an official statement, the multi-member panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has forwarded its report to the state's Law Department for further examination. After review by the Senior Secretary Committee and approval by the Cabinet, the proposed UCC Bill is likely to be introduced during the Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly , scheduled to begin on July 20 .

Chief Minister Yadav thanked the committee members for completing and submitting the report within the stipulated timeframe. Committee members Prof Gopal Sharma, Budhpal Singh, Shobha Paithankar and Member Secretary Ajay Katesaria were present during the submission. Justice Desai, senior advisor Shatrughan Singh and member Anup Nair were unable to attend due to personal reasons.

The report has been compiled in three sections . The first section contains the committee's recommendations after analysing various international, national and state laws and practices and is spread across 10 chapters . The second section consists of a draft UCC Bill prepared in the context of laws and regulations prevalent in Madhya Pradesh. The proposed legislation comprises four parts, 404 sections and seven schedules .

The third section presents findings from an extensive public consultation exercise conducted at district, state and online levels. The committee received more than 9.58 lakh suggestions , and the report includes detailed analysis based on questions, gender and community categories.

The panel was tasked with examining existing systems governing marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption and live-in relationships . It prepared the draft keeping in view the state's social, cultural and economic conditions. The committee stated that the proposed framework seeks to promote gender equality , respect prevailing customs and practices, safeguard ceremonial traditions and remain consistent with constitutional provisions and public policy.

The recommendation to exclude Scheduled Tribes is expected to be among the most significant features of the proposed Uniform Civil Code for Madhya Pradesh.