Rajasthan’s Bhajan Lal Sharma government Thursday approved the draft Bill of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) — the fifth state to do so. The Bill, aimed at regulating marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, is one of two draft laws that the Cabinet cleared Thursday for introduction in the upcoming Assembly session.Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa announced the draft law after a Cabinet meeting Thursday. The government also cleared a draft law for the protection of 29 trees, including the revered state tree, Khejri.Patel said that under the proposed UCC law, it will be mandatory to register marriages within 60 days.“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,” he said. “The Bill’s provisions will not apply to Scheduled Tribes, while classes with traditional rights protected under the Constitution are also excluded.”Also Read | ‘UCC committee hurts the federal structure’ says Dotasra as Congress boycotts public hearingsHe said that the draft was prepared based on the recommendations of an expert committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. Its provisions make marriage registration mandatory and prohibit polygamy.What the draft law statesWhile all religions and communities will have complete freedom to solemnise marriages according to their own customs, registration would be mandatory. A provision has also been made for written notice or registration of the beginning and end of live-in relationships, “which will protect the rights of both parties”.The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that the Registrar must issue a certificate within 15 days of receiving the memorandum for registration of marriage or divorce, or reject the application in writing. If the Registrar rejects the application, an appeal may be filed within 30 days before the Registrar General, which must be resolved within 60 days.Story continues below this adA marriage will not be considered invalid merely because of a failure or delay in registration. However, failure to register will result in a fine of up to Rs 10,000, and failure to register even after receiving a notice will result in a fine of up to Rs 25,000. The Registrar General can also impose a fine of up to Rs 25,000 on any Registrar who “deliberately delays or neglects the registration process”.Patel said that the Bill establishes a clear judicial process for resolving disputes arising after marriage. “Clear provisions have been made for the court to declare a marriage void based on reasons including violation of the Code, forced or fraudulent consent, or impotence,” he said.Additionally, sons and daughters have been granted equal inheritance rights. If a person dies without a will, their property will be transferred according to a prescribed priority order.Also Read | How Supreme Court verdict upheld equal inheritance rights for tribal womenThree categories have been established for this purpose. The first category includes the surviving husband or wife, surviving children, the spouses and children of deceased children, and parents. The second category includes step-parents, siblings, the spouses and children of deceased siblings, the siblings of parents, and paternal and maternal grandparents.Story continues below this adThe third category includes relatives other than the first two. However, if no legal heir is found, the property will pass on to the government, which will also be subject to all liabilities and obligations associated with the property.An unborn child in the womb will also have full legal inheritance rights, Patel said.Earlier, the Congress had boycotted the UCC hearings, with state president Govind Singh Dotasra saying that it was an attempt to divert attention from more pressing issues.“Currently, the state’s medical system is in a shambles. The public is neither receiving timely treatment nor access to essential medicines. Extremely unfortunate incidents, such as the deaths of pregnant women in government hospitals due to counterfeit medicines, have occurred. Beneficiaries are not receiving the benefits of the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS). Inflation is at its peak, the state’s youth are searching for jobs, unemployment is steadily rising, and the youth are suffering from serious problems like paper leaks.”Story continues below this adKhejri protection lawThe second Bill cleared Thursday was the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill, 2026. At the briefing, Patel said the Bill will significantly promote the conservation and preservation of 29 important tree species, including the state tree Khejri, as well as the state flower Rohida, Banyan, Peepal, Lasora, Tendu, Mahua, Kair, and Chironji.The Bill proposes imprisonment for one year, a fine of Rs 1 lakh, or both, for the illegal felling of trees on non-forest land.Also Read | Sacred tree, political storm: Why BJP is under pressure in RajasthanPatel said that, given the special importance of these trees in rural and tribal life, the Bill makes such crimes cognisable and bailable to control the felling of trees on non-forest land and establish accountability.According to the law, no person would cut or cause the cutting of any tree on land owned or occupied by them without the prior permission of the authorised authority. A person who does so with permission will have to plant a prescribed number of trees in the same area.Story continues below this ad“Effective conservation of these trees will directly benefit the livelihoods and rural economy of tribal and desert residents,” Patel said.Also Read | As UCC debate resurfaces in poll-bound states, recalling what Ambedkar said in Constituent AssemblyThe law comes in the backdrop of February protests in Bikaner, where thousands of people gathered to protest the felling of trees and demand a law for the protection of trees such as Khejri.At the root of these protests was the Rajasthan Jan Vishwas Ordinance, which removed criminal provisions from 11 Acts, instead opting for penalties. This led to protests, with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma eventually announcing a law to protect the Khejri tree.