Rajasthan cabinet clears draft bills on tree protection and UCC

Business To Business, Jaipur,  13 August 2026:  The Rajasthan Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, on Thursday approved several significant proposals, including drafts of the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill‑2026 and the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code Bill‑2026.
 
The proposed tree protection legislation seeks to conserve the environment and biodiversity and curb illegal tree felling. At the same time, the Uniform Civil Code Bill aims to establish a uniform and transparent legal framework covering marriage, divorce, succession, maintenance and live‑in relationships in the state.
 
The Cabinet also approved an Operation and Maintenance Policy aimed at strengthening rural water supply infrastructure and took several decisions concerning the welfare of soldiers and personnel.
 
Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Public Health Engineering Minister Kanhaiya Lal and Minister of State for Industries and Commerce K.K. Vishnoi briefed the media about the Cabinet’s decisions.
 
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill‑2026 will be introduced in the upcoming Assembly session as part of the state’s efforts to conserve its environment and biodiversity.
 
The Cabinet has approved the draft of the legislation, which is aimed at promoting the propagation and conservation of 29 important tree species, including Khejri, the state tree; Rohida, the state flower; as well as Banyan, Peepal, Lasoda, Tendu, Mahua, Kair and Chironji.
 
The proposed legislation seeks to regulate the felling of trees on non‑forest land and establish accountability for violations. Offences under the proposed law have been classified as cognisable and bailable.
 
A person convicted of illegal tree felling could face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of Rs 1 lakh, or both.
 
Under the proposed provisions, no person will be permitted to fell or cause the felling of a tree standing on land owned or possessed by them without prior permission from the authorised authority.
 
Where a tree is felled or removed with permission, the prescribed number of replacement trees will have to be planted in the same area.
 
The Government said conservation of these tree species will benefit the livelihoods of tribal communities and residents of desert regions while also supporting the rural economy.
 
The Cabinet also approved the draft of the Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code Bill‑2026, which will be introduced in the upcoming Assembly session.
 
According to Jogaram Patel, the proposed legislation is in keeping with the spirit of Article 44 of the Constitution of India. It seeks to establish a uniform, transparent and systematic legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, maintenance and live‑in relationships in Rajasthan.
 
The proposed law will not apply to Scheduled Tribes. Communities and groups whose traditional rights are protected under the Constitution have also been kept outside its scope.
 
The draft was prepared on the recommendations of an expert committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The proposed Code mandates registration of marriages and prohibits polygamy.
 
At the same time, individuals will retain the freedom to solemnise marriages according to the traditions and customs of their respective religions and communities, including practices such as Saptapadi, Nikah, Anand Karaj and Holy Union.
 
All marriages solemnised after the law comes into force will have to be registered within 60 days.
 
The Bill also contains provisions concerning live‑in relationships, including written notification or registration of their commencement and termination, with the stated objective of protecting the rights of both parties.
 
The Registrar will be required to issue a certificate or reject an application in writing, giving reasons, within 15 days of receiving a memorandum for registration of a marriage or divorce.
 
If an application is rejected, an appeal can be filed before the Registrar General within 30 days, and the appeal must be disposed of within 60 days.
 
The draft also provides that a marriage will not become invalid merely because it was not registered or because registration was delayed.
 
A fine of up to Rs 10,000 may be imposed for failure to register a marriage, while a penalty of up to Rs 25,000 may apply for ignoring a notice related to registration.
 
The Registrar General may also impose a fine of up to Rs 25,000 on a Registrar who wilfully delays or neglects the registration process.
 
The proposed Code establishes a judicial mechanism for resolving disputes arising after marriage.
 
It also provides for a court to declare a marriage void on specified grounds, including violation of provisions of the Code, consent obtained through force or fraud, impotence and other prescribed circumstances.
 
The Bill provides equal succession rights to sons and daughters.
 
In cases where a person dies intestate, meaning without leaving a will, their property will devolve according to a prescribed order of priority divided into three categories.
 
The first category includes the surviving spouse, surviving children, the spouses and children of deceased children, and parents.
 
The second category comprises step‑parents, siblings, the spouses and children of deceased siblings, paternal and maternal aunts and uncles, and paternal and maternal grandparents.
 
The third, or ‘other’, category covers relatives who do not fall within the first two categories.
 
If no legal heir is found within these categories, the property will vest in the Government. However, the Government will also assume all liabilities and obligations associated with the property.
 
The proposed provisions further state that a child in the womb at the time of a person’s death, provided the child is subsequently born alive, will have full legal rights of succession.
 
Public Health Engineering Minister Kanhaiya Lal said the Cabinet also approved an Operation and Maintenance Policy aimed at ensuring the smooth and sustainable supply of drinking water in rural areas.
 
The policy is intended to strengthen the operation and maintenance of rural water supply infrastructure and improve the reliability of water services for residents.