Mumbai, July 4 -- The Maharashtra government has initiated the process of framing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the state, marking a significant development in the debate surrounding personal laws and legal uniformity in India.

Before introducing legislation in the state legislature, the government plans to constitute an expert committee that will study existing legal frameworks, examine relevant material and prepare a draft proposal for a Maharashtra-specific UCC.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has indicated that the formation of the committee will be announced during the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly, with the formal announcement expected next week.

Speaking on the issue, Fadnavis reiterated the government's ...