Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 9: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced the constitution of a seven-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai to prepare a draft framework for the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.

Making the announcement in the Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis said the committee comprises former High Court judges R C Chavan and S G Mehare, former Maharashtra Chief Secretary D K Jain, former Advocate General Virendra Saraf, constitutional expert Ramesh Patange and educationist Suvarna Rawal.

The chief minister said the panel has been asked to submit its report within six months.

"We will make efforts to introduce the legislation in the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur," Fadnavis said.

Referring to the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution, Fadnavis said the state government had constituted the seven-member committee under the chairpersonship of Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Desai to prepare a framework for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Maharashtra.