Cabinet Approves Revised Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, Set for Budget Session

New Delhi : The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the revised Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, incorporating significant changes recommended by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The bill aims to introduce key reforms in the management and regulation of Waqf properties across India and is expected to be tabled during the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament, which begins on March 10.

The amendment process gained momentum after a thorough review by the JPC, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. The committee carefully examined various provisions and adopted 14 amendments before clearing the bill on January 27. Following this, the JPC submitted its detailed 655-page report, which was officially presented in both Houses of Parliament on February 13.

However, the bill’s passage has not been without controversy. A political storm erupted after opposition MPs alleged that portions of their dissent notes had been omitted from the final JPC report tabled in Parliament. They accused the government of selectively removing sections that were critical of the proposed changes, sparking heated debates within the opposition ranks.

Defending its stance, the government asserted that the JPC chairperson had the authority to exclude any content that cast “aspersions” on the committee’s integrity or functioning. However, following mounting pressure from opposition parties, a compromise was reached, ensuring that the dissenting opinions would be reinstated in their original form.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is part of the Modi government’s broader legislative agenda to streamline property governance in India. It seeks to address concerns over the administration of Waqf lands, improve transparency, and prevent unauthorized encroachments. The bill’s provisions are expected to be debated extensively in Parliament, with both supporters and critics gearing up for a contentious discussion.

As the Budget Session nears, all eyes will be on the bill’s fate, as it could have far-reaching implications for the Waqf Board’s functioning and the management of religious endowments in India.