Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 27 said children born out of live-in relationships will be granted full legal recognition and equal rights over parental property under the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) adopted by the Assam Assembly.

Addressing the media after the passage of the Uniform Civil Code Bill, Sarma said the legislation includes provisions aimed at ensuring equal rights and legal protection for children irrespective of the nature of their parents’ relationship.

“Children born out of a live-in relationship will get complete status and will have rights on parental property,” the Chief Minister said.

He said the Uniform Civil Code seeks to regulate live-in relationships by making registration mandatory and ensuring legal safeguards for children born from such unions.

“Live-in relationships will have to be registered. If there are children, they should receive full rights as son or daughter of that couple,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister said the legislation also focuses on women’s rights, regulation of marriage-related issues and equal inheritance provisions.

“Whether it is a son or daughter, everybody will have equal rights over parental property,” he added.

The Assam Assembly on May 27 adopted the Uniform Civil Code Bill, making Assam the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to pass such legislation. The Bill will now be forwarded to the President of India for assent before it comes into force.

The proposed law also excludes Scheduled Tribe communities from its ambit while seeking to establish a common civil framework governing personal matters in the state.