State Forms 9-Member Panel to Review UCC Draft

The state government has constituted a nine-member high-level committee to examine the draft of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), marking a significant step in the process of evaluating the legislation before any final decision is taken.

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has been appointed Chairperson of the committee, while State Home Secretary Shankhamitra Ghosh will serve as the Convenor.

The panel also includes former Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy, Dushyant Nariwala, retired IAS officer Shatrughan Singh, former Bangabasi College professor Ratna Bhattacharya, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gour Banga Gopal Chandra Mishra, and Calcutta High Court advocates Osman Gani Mallik and Nirmalya Bhattacharya.

The committee's formation follows a meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday between the Chief Secretary and Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. Government sources had earlier indicated that the panel would be constituted shortly, and the official announcement has now confirmed its composition.

According to the state government, the committee has been entrusted with conducting a detailed examination of the draft Uniform Civil Code and submitting a comprehensive report along with its recommendations. The government will determine its future course of action regarding the proposed legislation based on the committee's findings.