Rajasthan Cabinet Approves UCC and Tree Protection Bills Ahead of Local Polls

August 13, 2026

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Cabinet on Thursday approved several key proposals ahead of the expected imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming panchayat and local body elections, including the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill and the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill.

Both Bills are scheduled to be introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly during its session beginning August 20.

The Cabinet also approved a two-year relaxation in the mandatory service or experience period required for promotion of state government employees and officials.

Rajasthan UCC Bill Gets Cabinet Nod

Cabinet Minister Jogaram Patel said the government’s objective was to realise the principle of “One State, One Law.”

The proposed UCC Bill seeks to bring matters including marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships under a common legal framework. However, customs and traditions followed by tribal communities have been kept outside the proposed law.

Under the proposed legislation, registration of marriage would be mandatory within 60 days. Divorce registration would also be compulsory, while information regarding the commencement and termination of live-in relationships would have to be submitted.

A fine of up to Rs 10,000 has been proposed for failure to comply with the registration requirements.

If enacted, the proposed law would prohibit polygamy and allow remarriage without restrictions that previously applied in some communities.

The inheritance provisions seek to provide equal property rights to sons and daughters across religions. The Bill also proposes provisions concerning the rights of grandchildren to ancestral property, including situations where a grandson’s father dies before his grandfather.

Tree Protection Bill Proposes Strict Penalties

The Cabinet also approved the Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, aimed at strengthening the conservation of trees across the state.

According to Patel, the proposed legislation would prohibit the felling of 29 specified tree species, including Khejri, which is revered as the Kalp Vriksh, and Rohida, Rajasthan’s state tree.

Felling of protected trees could be permitted in special circumstances 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 apply to trees on private land, subject to specified exemptions.

Anyone seeking permission to fell a protected tree would have to undertake compensatory plantation. Under the proposed provisions, 10 per cent more trees than those felled would have to be planted and maintained.

If the applicant is unable to undertake the plantation, the prescribed amount would have to be deposited with the government, which would use the funds for plantation activities.

Two-Year Relaxation for Government Employees

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 government had announced the relaxation 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 last three years will now be eligible for the relaxation, subject to applicable conditions.

The Cabinet decisions come ahead of the expected imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming panchayat and local body elections.