NEW DELHI: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has scheduled meetings on December 26 and 27 to gather oral evidence from state representatives. This initiative is part of the committee’s ongoing efforts to reform the administration of Waqf properties across India.
Scheduled Sessions and Participants
On December 26, the committee will hear from representatives of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The following day, December 27, sessions will include representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Delhi. These discussions are crucial for understanding the diverse perspectives and challenges faced by different states concerning Waqf property management.
Recent Consultations
Earlier, the JPC engaged with Muslim representatives from Lucknow and Rajasthan. During these meetings, former Vice Chancellor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow, and former Chairman of Rajasthan Waqf Board presented their proposed amendments. The committee conducted a clause-by-clause discussion, with Members of Parliament posing pertinent questions to the representatives.
Objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address longstanding issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments associated with Waqf properties. Proposed reforms include digitization, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is conducting extensive consultations with government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives to ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the legislation.
Implications for Waqf Property Management
The proposed amendments are expected to empower Waqf boards, ensuring better accountability and making the management of religious properties more transparent and efficient. Addressing issues such as encroachment and misuse of funds allocated for the upkeep of Waqf properties, the bill seeks to establish a more robust framework for the governance of these assets.
Source: Web Team, C6N
