Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has confirmed that it will not appoint a replacement for Justice (retd) R C Chavan, who has stepped down from the seven-member committee responsible for drafting rules and recommendations for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. Chavan’s resignation comes amid reported disagreements regarding the committee’s operational methods in certain areas.
It will go ahead and prepare draft rules and make recommendations to implement UCC based on submissions from the existing 6 members.
A cabinet minister said, “Govt will not appoint any new member to replace him. Govt has decided to not respond to Chavan’s allegations, too, the minister said.
In July, the state set up a 7-member committee led by retired SC judge Ranjana Desai to formulate a draft legislation for its implementation within 6 months.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had then said he intends to present a bill in the winter session of the legislature in December. In the Constitution, the directive principles of state policy say each state should form a UCC, he said. An official said the committee will continue with existing members and meetings will be online. The draft report will be put in public domain, the official said.
The committee forwarded the mail to the law and judiciary dept, which in turn forwarded it to CM Fadnavis who approved it. Govt accepted the resignation and informed Chavan about it. A website will be created where questionnaires will be put up for the public to respond.
She had earlier headed a committee which drafted the UCC for Uttarakhand.