First Meeting of Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024
Chaired by Jagdambika Pal
The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be held on August 22 in the Parliament House Annexe in New Delhi. The committee is chaired by BJP member Jagdambika Pal.
During the meeting, representatives of the Minority Affairs Ministry will brief the members on the bill and the proposed amendments. Representatives of the Law Ministry will also be present. The parliamentary committee examining the bill includes 21 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
The government introduced the bill in the budget session of Parliament, which concluded earlier this month, and it was decided to send the legislation to JPC for further scrutiny.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It seeks to clearly define ‘waqf’ and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not deny inheritance rights to women. It also proposes to omit provisions relating to ‘waqf by user’ and assign the functions of the Survey Commissioner to the Collector or a nominated officer.
The bill aims to provide a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards, ensuring representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims. It also proposes the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis, omits section 40 relating to the Board’s powers to decide if a property is waqf property, and reforms the Tribunal structure with two members. Appeals against Tribunal orders can be made to the High Court within ninety days.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha, stated that the JPC will submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the winter session of Parliament.
Doubts Revealed
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a group of members from both houses of Parliament who come together to discuss and examine specific issues or bills.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 -: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a proposed law that aims to make changes to the existing Waqf Act, 1995, which deals with properties and assets donated for religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community.
Jagdambika Pal -: Jagdambika Pal is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a politician who is chairing the meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Minority Affairs Ministry -: The Minority Affairs Ministry is a part of the Indian government that focuses on the welfare and development of minority communities in India, such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others.
Law Ministry -: The Law Ministry is a part of the Indian government responsible for legal affairs, including drafting laws and providing legal advice to other ministries.
Waqf Act, 1995 -: The Waqf Act, 1995 is a law in India that governs the management and administration of Waqf properties, which are assets donated for religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community.
Kiren Rijiju -: Kiren Rijiju is the Minority Affairs Minister in the Indian government, responsible for looking after the interests and development of minority communities in India.
Winter session of Parliament -: The winter session of Parliament is a period, usually held in November and December, when members of Parliament meet to discuss and pass laws.