Assam Assembly Session to Focus on Speaker Election and Uniform Civil Code Bill
Key Highlights of the Upcoming Assembly Session
A file image of the Assam legislative Assembly session (Photo:@AjantaNeog/X)
Guwahati, May 20: The 16th Assembly session of Assam is scheduled to commence on May 21, with the election of a new Speaker and the anticipated introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill expected to take center stage during the four-day meeting.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the session's agenda, which will run until May 26, excluding the weekend.
Sarma indicated that the government is ready to advance with significant legislative matters, including the contentious UCC Bill.
“Tomorrow marks the start of the Assembly session, and the election of the new Speaker will be the first order of business. Following that, we will proceed with critical legislative issues, including the Uniform Civil Code Bill,” Sarma informed the media.
Reaffirming the BJP-led government's dedication to enacting the UCC, the Chief Minister noted that this legislation was part of their pre-election commitments and will now be formally presented in the Assembly.
“We had pledged that upon our return to power, we would introduce the Uniform Civil Code in the first Assembly session. We are now taking steps in that direction, and the Bill will be introduced during this session,” he stated.
The proposed legislation is anticipated to spark vigorous discussions both within and outside the Assembly.
While the government asserts that the UCC aims to provide equal civil laws for all citizens, regardless of religion, opposition parties and various social organizations have raised concerns about its potential effects on personal laws, customs, and community-specific practices.
However, Sarma did not disclose specifics about the proposed legislation, as the state government has yet to publicly release the draft Bill.
The Chief Minister also expressed optimism regarding the Bill's approval, indicating that the government is politically equipped for one of the most scrutinized legislative processes in recent times.
In addition to the UCC Bill, the Assembly session is expected to clarify the potential expansion of the state cabinet.
Sarma hinted at a reshuffle and the induction of new ministers, suggesting that this process is likely to occur in the first week of June following the session's conclusion.
“Regarding cabinet expansion, it is likely to happen in the first week of June after the Assembly session. The process will happen gradually,” he mentioned.
This upcoming Assembly session is particularly significant as it represents the first major legislative gathering since the BJP-led coalition regained power in Assam, with the proposed UCC legislation likely to become the focal point of the government's new term.