Jaipur, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Rajasthan Cabinet on Thursday approved the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill and Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, along with a two-year relaxation in the mandatory service requirement for promotion of state government employees.
The decisions were taken ahead of the expected imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the forthcoming panchayat and local body elections. Both Bills are scheduled to be introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly during its session beginning August 20.
Cabinet Minister Jogaram Patel said the proposed UCC was aimed at advancing the principle of “One State, One Law”. The Bill seeks to establish a common legal framework covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships.
Tribal customs and traditions have been kept outside the proposed legislation.
Under the proposed UCC, marriage registration would be mandatory within 60 days, while divorce would also have to be registered. Couples entering or ending a live-in relationship would be required to submit the prescribed information. Non-compliance with the registration provisions would attract a proposed fine of Rs 10,000.
The Bill proposes to prohibit polygamy while allowing remarriage without restrictions that previously applied in some communities. Its inheritance provisions seek to provide equal property rights to sons and daughters irrespective of religion. It also proposes provisions concerning grandchildren’s rights in ancestral property, including cases where a grandson’s father dies before his grandfather.
Tree Protection Bill
The Cabinet also cleared the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, aimed at strengthening the conservation of trees across the state.
The proposed legislation would prohibit the felling of 29 specified tree species, including Khejri, revered as the Kalp Vriksh, and Rohida, Rajasthan’s state tree.
Felling of protected trees would be permitted only in specified circumstances and after approval from the competent authority. Unauthorised felling could attract a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment of up to one year.
The provisions would also cover trees on private land, subject to exclusions specified in the proposed legislation. Prior permission would be mandatory where felling is considered necessary.
Permission to fell a protected tree would be linked to compensatory plantation. Applicants would have to plant and maintain 10 per cent more trees than the number felled. Those unable to undertake the plantation would have to deposit the prescribed amount with the government, which would use the funds for plantation activities.
Two-year promotion relaxation
The Cabinet also approved a two-year relaxation in the prescribed service or experience requirement for promotion of state government employees and officials.
Although the relaxation had been announced in the state Budget, the required notification could not be issued without Cabinet approval.
Employees who have not availed themselves of the benefit during the past three years will now be eligible for the relaxation, subject to the applicable conditions.
The Cabinet decisions come ahead of the Model Code of Conduct expected to be enforced for the upcoming panchayat and local body elections.
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