LUCKNOW, Feb. 17 -- The state government on Monday tabled the Uttar Pradesh Municipalities (Amendment ) Bill 2026 and Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the assembly. The bills have been introduced to remove the term "Kushthashram" (leprosy asylum) from municipal laws in a move aimed at ending discrimination against leprosy patients and ensuring a dignified place for them in society. Once passed by the assembly and approved by the governor, the new laws will replace Uttar Pradesh Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 and Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 respectively. Based on directives from the Supreme Court, states and Union Territories have been ordered to constitute committees to identify and repeal laws, regulations, and by-laws that discriminate against or are derogatory towards leprosy-affected or cured persons. Following a 2010 PIL, the court had identified that over 90-97 central and state laws still contained discriminatory provisions, such as treating leprosy as a ground for divorce or restricting access to public transport and employment. In order to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court order, laws prevalent in the state which have discriminatory provisions in relation to persons affected by leprosy and/or persons cured of leprosy were identified by the committee and suitable amendments were recommended....