West Bengal Cabinet clears panel to examine UCC Bill

Kolkata: The West Bengal government, at its Cabinet meeting on Thursday, approved a proposal to constitute a committee to examine the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026.

"The committee will be headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. It will submit its report within four weeks, after which the Bill will be tabled in the state Assembly," Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul said while briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The committee will study various personal and family laws, including provisions related to marriage, divorce, maintenance, succession, adoption and live-in relationships.


On June 29, reiterating the government's commitment to implementing the UCC in the state, West Bengal Chief Minister Adhikari said the committee would submit its final recommendations within four weeks, after which the Bill would be tabled.

The legislation will be modelled on the UCC laws introduced in Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam, the Chief Minister had said. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will remain outside the purview of the proposed law, he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister directed various departments to draw up specific plans for the next three months as the Budget implementation begins in August. Every department should have a "model plan", and work should be carried out accordingly, he said.

The Chief Minister also directed all departments to maintain austerity measures and focus on cost-cutting.

He said the benefits of welfare schemes, including Annapurna Yojana, should reach only eligible beneficiaries. Revenue leakage in mining must also be stopped, and immediate action should be taken whenever violations or complaints are reported.

After assuming office, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had directed secretaries of various departments to immediately plug revenue leakage from illegal minor mineral extraction, stone quarrying and sand mining, which has been causing losses to the state exchequer.