Uttarakhand

• 05 Feb 2024

Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves UCC Draft Report

Why in News?

On 4th February 2024, Uttarakhand took one more step towards becoming the first state after independence to implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC), after the state cabinet approved the UCC panel's draft report.

Key Points

• The report will be tabled in the assembly on 6th February 2024, as the ruling party has 47 seats in the 70-member house, the UCC bill is set for a smooth sailing.
• Uniform Civil Code is a common set of laws that will supersede customary laws across faiths and tribes, and govern issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance.
• According to the Constitution of India, UCC is a part of the non-justiciable directive principles of state policy.
  • As per the 2011 national census, Uttarakhand has a 13.9% Muslim population, with most people from the community living in the Terai region.

Uniform Civil Code

• It is envisaged to provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
• Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the state shall endeavor to secure a UCC for the citizens throughout the territory of India.
  • Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
  • The purpose behind Article 44 is to strengthen the object of "secular democratic republic" as enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution.

Uttarakhand Approves New Film Policy

Why in News?

The Uttarakhand Cabinet under Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami has approved the new film policy for increasing the subsidy for those making local films in the state.

Key Points

• According to the official statement, The Uttarakhand government has increased the subsidy eight times for those making Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari films in the state.
• The subsidy for those shooting films in the state in 22 languages included in the Eighth Schedule has also been doubled.
• Film subsidies are a form of government intervention that provides financial support to filmmakers, production companies, and studios.
• The most common forms of financial assistance are transferable tax credits and sales and use tax exemptions.

Eighth Schedule:

• It lists the official languages of the Republic of India. Part XVII of the Indian constitution deals with the official languages in Articles 343 to 351.
• The Constitutional provisions related to the Eighth Schedule are:
  • Article 344: Article 344(1) provides for the constitution of a Commission by the President on the expiration of five years from the commencement of the Constitution.
  • Article 351: It provides for the spread of the Hindi language to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India.

Official Languages:

• The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution consists of the following 22 languages:
  • Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri.