Dehradun, Feb 19 (PTI) The Uttarakhand government has brought an ordinance giving co-ownership rights to women in their husband's ancestral property.

The ordinance has been brought keeping in view large-scale migration of men from the hill areas of the state in search of livelihood.

The ordinance aims to provide economic independence to women who are left behind and have to depend on agriculture to sustain themselves.

Describing it as the biggest reform of his government, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said Uttarakhand has "set a precedent for other states to follow".

Agriculture Minister Subodh Uniyal said Uttarakhand is the first state to give co-ownership rights to women in their husband's ancestral property.

Pradesh BJP Mahila Morcha president Ritu Khanduri described it as a "historic decision which will empower women".

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)