<p class="title">The BJP-led Goa government would amend the Portuguese-era Uniform Civil Code (UCC), introduced in the year 1870 so that non-Goans can register their marriages in the coastal state, the Legislative Assembly was told on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The UCC was introduced by the erstwhile Portuguese rulers. It was retained even after the territory was merged with India in the year 1961.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Registration of marriage of non-Goans is currently banned in Goa.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We would amend the Uniform Civil Code, after which non-Goans can be allowed to register their marriages in the coastal state, which is currently banned under this Portuguese-era law.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Many people want to register their marriages in Goa as the state is governed by the Uniform Civil Code. We will make a provision through amendment so that they will be allowed to do so," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said while responding to a Zero Hour mention by BJP MLA Antonio Fernandes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Fernandes said several Goans holding the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, who are on a short vacation in Goa, find it difficult to register their marriages due to the mandatory provision of maintaining the 15-day gap between two signatures before sub-registrar--one for declaration of intent and the other for confirmation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Responding to this, Law Minister Nilesh Cabral said an amendment will be made to the UCC to do away with the mandatory gap period.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Currently, a couple that wants to register their marriage can approach a court to get this 15-day period absolved," the minister said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Goa, a former Portuguese colony, was annexed into the Union of India in 1961. In 1987, Goa was made a separate state.</p>
<p class="title">The BJP-led Goa government would amend the Portuguese-era Uniform Civil Code (UCC), introduced in the year 1870 so that non-Goans can register their marriages in the coastal state, the Legislative Assembly was told on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The UCC was introduced by the erstwhile Portuguese rulers. It was retained even after the territory was merged with India in the year 1961.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Registration of marriage of non-Goans is currently banned in Goa.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We would amend the Uniform Civil Code, after which non-Goans can be allowed to register their marriages in the coastal state, which is currently banned under this Portuguese-era law.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Many people want to register their marriages in Goa as the state is governed by the Uniform Civil Code. We will make a provision through amendment so that they will be allowed to do so," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said while responding to a Zero Hour mention by BJP MLA Antonio Fernandes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Fernandes said several Goans holding the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, who are on a short vacation in Goa, find it difficult to register their marriages due to the mandatory provision of maintaining the 15-day gap between two signatures before sub-registrar--one for declaration of intent and the other for confirmation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Responding to this, Law Minister Nilesh Cabral said an amendment will be made to the UCC to do away with the mandatory gap period.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Currently, a couple that wants to register their marriage can approach a court to get this 15-day period absolved," the minister said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Goa, a former Portuguese colony, was annexed into the Union of India in 1961. In 1987, Goa was made a separate state.</p>