The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is set to submit its final report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today. The committee, which consists of 31 members, finalized the draft report yesterday, following extensive discussions over the past six months. Jagdambika Pal, the chairman of the committee, addressed the media in New Delhi, stating that the committee has adopted amendments to 14 clauses of the Bill.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is poised to bring substantial reforms to the management and regulation of Waqf properties in India. Key provisions of the Bill include the digitisation of Waqf records, stricter auditing processes, increased transparency, and a legal framework to reclaim illegally occupied Waqf properties. These reforms are aimed at improving the governance and accountability of Waqf institutions across the country.
However, the adoption of the report has faced criticism from opposition members on the committee. DMK MP A Raja expressed concern over the rushed manner in which the report was adopted. He contended that the process lacked adequate scrutiny. Congress leader Naseer Hussain also raised objections, stating that several important suggestions and objections raised by opposition members were not included in the final report.
Other opposition MPs, including Kalyan Banerjee from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Arvind Sawant from Shiv Sena UBT, have submitted dissent notes to the report, highlighting their concerns over the handling of the Bill’s provisions.
Despite the opposition’s reservations, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is set to play a crucial role in reforming Waqf property management in India, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and legal mechanisms for reclaiming encroached properties.
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