New Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressed Parliament on Monday regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, asserting that misinformation surrounding the bill—specifically claims that the government is seizing Muslim lands—needs to be quelled. He emphasized that many Muslim organizations have voiced their support for the legislation.
"The Parliamentary Committee has received a record number of recommendations for the Waqf Amendment Bill. It has been referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for scrutiny. Some people are running propaganda that the lands of Muslims are being snatched by the government. This propaganda should be stopped," Rijiju stated. The ongoing discussions by the JPC are part of a broader effort to reform the Waqf Act, ensuring waqf properties are utilized for the community's benefit. Key aspects of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill include the digitization of records, stricter audits, enhanced legal recourse for encroachments, and the decentralization of waqf management.
The committee will conduct informal discussions in five states with various stakeholders from September 26 to October 1, aiming to refine the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, which oversees over 600,000 registered waqf properties nationwide. Originally established by the Waqf Act of 1995, this legislation has faced longstanding issues of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce significant reforms, including digitization, increased transparency, and legal mechanisms for reclaiming illegally occupied properties.
These consultations are crucial for ensuring the amendments are practical, effective, and aligned with the community's needs. The committee is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the end of the first week of the next parliamentary session.
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