The Central government is all set to introduce bill to make plan amendments in Waqf Board act. The list of business of the Lok Sabha details that Kiren Rijuju, Minority Affiars Minister will move the bills.
The List reads: “Kiren Rijiju to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. Also to introduce the Bill.”
“Kiren Rijiju to move for leave to introduce a Bill to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. Also to introduce the Bill,” the list further mentions.
The list of business further informs that kiren Rijuju will seek the withdrawal of a law regarding the Waqf Board presented on Februaru 18, 2014 during Manmohan Singh tenure. The Upper House list of business reads, The list reads, “Kiren Rijiju to move for leave to withdraw a Bill to provide for the eviction of unauthorized occupants from waqf properties and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, The Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants), Bill, 2014.”
The government is introducing new bills aimed at reforming the Waqf Board, in response to concerns from Muslim groups about perceived reductions in the board’s powers. Key aspects of the proposed reforms include mandating the inclusion of two women members on the Waqf Board, establishing a central portal for registering Waqf properties, and safeguarding the rights of the Bohra community.
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The amendments also propose removing the board’s authority to designate properties as ‘Waqf properties’ by repealing Section 40 of the current Waqf Board Act. The new legislation will overhaul the Waqf Act of 1923 and modify the Waqf Act of 1995 through 44 amendments to improve its functioning.
Planned amendment in Waqf Board Act seeks representation of Non-Muslims
Additionally, the reforms are set to rename the Waqf Act 1995 to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995. They aim to ensure broader representation within the Waqf Board, including diverse Muslim communities such as Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Aghakhani, and other backward classes. The amendments also propose creating separate Boards of Auqaf for the Bohra and Aghakhani communities and ensuring representation of both Muslim women and non-Muslims on the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards.
The proposed changes have garnered support from various Dargah chiefs, who met with Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday evening to express their backing for the legislation.
According to reports, Waqf Boards have a land bank of nearly 8.7 lakh properties, with the total area spreading to about 9.4 lakh acres.
