Lok Sabha extends JPC tenure for Waqf (Amendment) Bill report to next Parliament session

Edited and posted by Al Ngullie
December 6,2024 01:44 PM
HORNBILL TV

The Lok Sabha has extended the tenure of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, until the next Parliament session.

New Delhi [India], December 5 (HBTV): The Lok Sabha has extended the tenure of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, until the next Parliament session. The committee, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, held its first meeting following the extension on Thursday, focusing on disputes over properties between Waqf Boards and state governments.

Pal stated that representatives from the Ministry of Minority Affairs participated in the meeting, during which JPC members raised various questions. The next meeting is scheduled for December 11 and 12.

"This was the first meeting after the extension of the JPC's tenure. Representatives from the Ministry of Minority Affairs attended and responded to members' queries. Disputes regarding properties between Waqf Boards and states were discussed," Pal said.

He added that a total of 27 meetings had been held in Delhi prior to the extension, with Thursday's meeting marking the 28th session. Over these sessions, discussions were conducted with stakeholders, including Waqf Boards, state governments, and six central ministries, such as the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Railways.

"The objective is to engage with maximum stakeholders and prepare a comprehensive report," Pal said.

Since August 22, the JPC has reviewed inputs from six ministries and 195 organisations, including hearings with 146 organisations nationwide. Nearly 9.5 million suggestions related to the Waqf Bill have been received by the committee's secretariat.

The Waqf Act of 1995, originally created to regulate waqf properties, has faced long-standing allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these issues by introducing digitisation, stricter audits, enhanced transparency, and legal mechanisms for reclaiming illegally occupied properties.

The committee's ongoing efforts include gathering input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives across states and Union Territories, with the goal of drafting a thorough and impactful reform.   

(ANI)