2 weeks ago
Rajasthan Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code and Tree Protection Bills
The leaders who run the state of Rajasthan in India made some important decisions.
They approved two new proposed laws, called bills, about family rules and trees.
One bill says that everyone who gets married must tell the government within 60 days.
People who live together without being married also have to tell the government when they start and stop.
The bill says sons and daughters should get the same share of their parents' property.
The other bill protects 29 special kinds of trees, like the Khejri tree, so people cannot cut them down without permission.
People who break this rule may have to pay a big fine or go to jail, and anyone allowed to cut a tree must plant even more trees to replace it.
The leaders also made it easier for government workers to get promoted.
Some people in the Congress party did not like the new bills and said the government should first fix problems like hospitals, jobs and rising prices.
Rajasthan Cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026 and the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill 2026 for introduction in the Assembly session beginning August 20.
The UCC makes marriage registration mandatory within 60 days, prohibits polygamy and requires written notice or registration of the commencement and termination of live-in relationships.
The UCC excludes Scheduled Tribes and grants equal inheritance rights to sons and daughters, with property passing to the government if no legal heir is found.
The Tree Protection Bill, brought after February protests in Bikaner, protects 29 species including Khejri and Rohida, with penalties up to Rs 1 lakh and one year in jail for illegal felling.
The Cabinet also approved a two-year relaxation in the service period required for promotion of state government employees.
- Who
- Rajasthan Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, with bills announced by ministers Jogaram Patel and Premchand Bairwa and the UCC draft based on an expert committee led by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
- What
- Approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026 and the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill 2026, plus a two-year service relaxation for state employee promotions
- Where
- Rajasthan, India
- When
- On Thursday, with the bills due to be introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly session beginning August 20
- Why
- To achieve the principle of 'One State, One Law' for family matters and to strengthen conservation of important trees
Congress and Protesters
Rajasthan Government
Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill
Congress and Protesters
Congress boycotted the UCC hearings, with party state president Govind Singh Dotasra saying it diverts attention from pressing issues such as a crumbling medical system, counterfeit medicines, inflation, rising unemployment and paper leaks.
Rajasthan Government
The government says the UCC realises the principle of 'One State, One Law' and provides uniform, transparent and systematic governance of marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships, including equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters.
Penalties for tree felling
Congress and Protesters
Thousands protested in Bikaner in February against the felling of trees such as Khejri after the Rajasthan Jan Vishwas Ordinance removed criminal provisions from 11 Acts, and demanded a law to protect trees.
Rajasthan Government
The government cleared the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, making illegal felling a cognisable and bailable offence punishable with jail and fines, while still allowing felling in special circumstances with approval from the competent authority.
Key facts
- Approving body
- Rajasthan Cabinet
- Bills approved
- Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026 and Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill 2026
- Assembly session begins
- August 20
- Marriage registration deadline
- Within 60 days
- Fines for non-registration
- Up to Rs 10,000; up to Rs 25,000 if a notice is ignored
- Protected tree species
- 29 species including Khejri, Rohida, Banyan, Peepal, Lasora, Tendu, Mahua, Kair and Chironji
- Penalty for illegal felling
- Up to Rs 1 lakh fine and/or up to one year imprisonment (cognisable and bailable offence)
- Compensatory plantation
- 10 per cent more trees than the number felled
Quotes
Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa
Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan
“"The Bill’s primary objective is to provide uniform, transparent, and systematic governance of laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance, and live-in relationships in the state."”
indianexpress.com
“"The proposed legislation will prohibit the felling of 29 specified tree species, including Khejri, revered as the Kalp Vriksh, and Rohida, Rajasthan's state tree."”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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