Jagdambika Pal Postpones Study Tours Due to Elections
Jagdambika Pal, the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, announced the postponement of planned study tours to Guwahati, Patna, and Lucknow. The delay is due to the involvement of many Members of Parliament (MPs) in assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, as well as by-elections in other states.
The study tours, initially scheduled from November 9 to November 14, were part of the committee’s examination of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The tours aimed to help committee members understand the proposed amendments related to managing and regulating Waqf properties across India.
Jagdambika Pal stated that the remaining study tours to Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, and Lucknow will be rescheduled. The JPC is expected to present its report on the bill by the end of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament, which runs from November 25 to December 20.
Since August 22, the JPC has conducted 25 meetings, reviewed the work of six ministries, and consulted 123 stakeholders, including representatives from six states, eight Waqf boards, and four minority commissions.
Doubts Revealed
Jagdambika Pal -: Jagdambika Pal is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. He is responsible for overseeing the examination of the bill.
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a group of members from both houses of the Indian Parliament. They come together to discuss and examine specific issues or bills, like the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in this case.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 -: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is a proposed change to the existing laws that manage Waqf properties. Waqf properties are lands or buildings donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Study Tours -: Study tours are trips organized for members of the committee to visit different places. They help the members understand the issues related to the bill better by seeing things firsthand.
MPs -: MPs stands for Members of Parliament. They are elected representatives who make laws and decisions for the country. In this context, they are busy with elections, which is why the tours are postponed.
Winter Session -: The Winter Session is one of the sessions of the Indian Parliament. It usually takes place in November and December, where important discussions and decisions are made.