The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, expressed dissatisfaction with the information provided by Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh regarding the status of waqf properties. In its meeting on Thursday, the committee found the responses from these states inadequate. Chairman Jagdambika Pal stated that the committee had requested detailed information on the registration, usage, revenue, and ownership changes of waqf properties. However, the submissions did not meet the required standards. The states have now been given 15 days to provide a comprehensive reply, and they may be summoned again if necessary.
The committee has also decided to visit Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow between January 18 and 20, 2025, to engage with various stakeholders on waqf properties. Additionally, some members have suggested visiting Jammu and Kashmir, a proposal that will be considered after consultation with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Extension of Tenure
The committee’s tenure has been extended until the last day of the Budget Session 2025. Initially, the report was to be submitted by the end of this week. However, the Lok Sabha approved the committee’s recommendation to extend its timeline.
Background of the Bill
Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on August 8, 2024. Simultaneously, the ‘Muslim Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024’ was presented to annul obsolete legislations. The new bill, titled the “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act” (UMMEED), aims to streamline waqf management. Opposition parties opposed the bill, leading to its referral to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion.
