The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposed amendments in the WAQF (Amendment) Bill after incorporating the changes recommended by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
The approval paves the way for the bill for the bill in Parliament in the second half of the budget session starting from March 10.
The union cabinet, it has been learned, has included most changes recommended by JPC, led by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal. The bill was approved with the Indian Port Bill last week and is placed in the priority list by the government as part of its legislative business in the remaining part of the budget session, according to A. times of India Report.
The panel approved the bill on 27 January, adopting all 14 changes proposed by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Democratic Alliance.
The 655-Page report of JPC was presented to both houses of Parliament on 13 February. Opposition MPs of the panel said that their dissatisfaction had disappeared from the document presented.
The Center denied the allegations, but the JPC Chairperson, Pal consulted the committee to remove ‘Asperus’. Later, it was decided that the dissatisfaction note would be included in their original form.
Overall, 66 amendments were proposed – from the ruling alliance by 23 MPs and by 44 opposition members – Pal -led committee.
“44 amendments were discussed. In a detailed discussion (dissemination) in six months, we sought amendments from all the members. This was our last meeting … 14 was accepted by the committee on the basis of majority (vote), “Pal told the news agency ANI.
This bill wants to make 44 changes in Waqf laws which controls how Muslim charitable qualities are managed in the country. However, after the opposition’s amendments were voted on party lines, the committee members were rejected. The panel has 16 MPs from BJP or concerned parties and only 10 from opposition.
In August last year, the central government referred to the Waqf Amendment Bill, which provides JPC for further investigation after objections from the opposition for the widespread-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf boards.
Waqf Amendment Bill 2024
The bill proposes to cancel several sections in the existing Waqf Act, which controls the Waqf boards. It also advocates far-reaching changes in the Current Act, including Muslim women and non-Muslims in the middle and state Waqf bodies.
The bill gives the district collector powers to resolve disputes about whether any property is Waqf or Government Land or not. The Bill wants to amend the Waqf Act, 1995 and proposes to allow a non-Muslim Chief Executive Officer.
Opponents say that the purpose of these amendments is to reduce the ‘arbitrary’ authority of Waqf boards. The current WAQF Act allows the board to claim any property in the form of WAQF without compulsory verification.
This bill wants to make 44 changes in Waqf laws which controls how Muslim charitable qualities are managed in the country.
