Tenure of the 22nd Law Commission will end today, the work on the report on UCC is incomplete

The 22nd Law Commission, which has been functioning headlessly for the last few months, completes its tenure on Saturday. The work on its report on the Uniform Civil Code is unfinished, though the one on holding simultaneous elections is ready, which could not be submitted due to want of a chairman.

Its chairman Justice Retd. Ritu Raj Awasthi was made a member of the Lokpal some months ago. The Law Commission had begun fresh consultations on the Uniform Civil Code last year.

The Commission was busy in drafting a report after the suggestions were received fromthe various sections of the society when Justice Awasthi was appointed as a member in theLokpal.

Article 44 under the Directive Principles of State Policy provides that it is the obligation of the State to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India. In tune with that, Uttarakhand has recently brought its Uniform Civil Code into practice.

Central Government had referred this issue of Uniform Civil Code to the 21st Law Commission which was functioning till August 2018. This commission headed by Justice Retired BS Chauhan had said in the consultation paper issued on 31st August 2018 that Uniform Civil Code is neither needed nor desirable at this stage. Then, with much time passing, the 22nd Law Commission had begun afresh discussions on this issue. It is relevant to point out here that the tenure of the Law Commission normally extends to three years; however, in February 2023 the Union Cabinet had extended the tenure of the 22nd Law Commission.