Waqf Amendment Bill: Report and revised amended bill to be adopted, says JPC Chairman

Muslim Rashtriya Manch National Convener Shahid Sayeed hailed the clearance of Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 by JPC saying that the bill will serve as an effective means to address basic societal needs while empowering the underprivileged and weaker sections

The Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Jagadambika Pal said on Wednesday that today's meeting marks two key developments, the adoption of the JPC report and the amended revised bill, reported news agency ANI.

Pal stated that while members have the right to support or oppose the bill, the committee will proceed with formal adoption before informing the Speaker of further procedural actions.

"The report and the revised amended bill- both will be adopted today," he said.

"We had circulated the 656-page JPC report to all members. Based on all deliberations of the JPC and the report prepared after that, the JPC committee will finally adopt the report... Today is an important day for JPC on Waqf for two reasons- we will present our report to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and get it adopted, and also we will present the amended revised bill in front of the JPC and get it adopted... It is a member's right to support or oppose," he said, ANI stated.

"As soon as the report is adopted, I will inform the Speaker and he will proceed as per procedure," the JPC Chairman added.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Rashtriya Manch National Convener Shahid Sayeed on Tuesday hailed the clearance of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 by the JPC saying that the bill will serve as an effective means to address basic societal needs while empowering the underprivileged and weaker sections, reported ANI.

Waqf Bill 1995 with 25 amendments across 14 clauses/sections was cleared by the JPC on Tuesday. 

The JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is expected to submit its report during the Budget session, with the committee's term extended during the winter session of Parliament.

The Budget session of Parliament will commence on January 31 and continue till April 4, with the Union Budget 2025 to be presented on February 1, ANI stated.

The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. 

(With inputs from ANI)

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