Parliament Committee Discusses Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 Across India
The Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will hold informal discussions in five states from September 26 to October 1. These talks aim to improve the proposed changes to the Waqf Act, which manages over 600,000 registered waqf properties in India.
First Stop: Mumbai
The first meeting will be in Mumbai on September 26. The committee will meet with representatives from the Government of Maharashtra, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Maharashtra Waqf Board. Other participants include the Maharashtra State Minority Commission, Bar Council, Lawyers Associations, and Muttawalli Associations. The focus will be on transparency, efficiency, and empowerment in waqf management.
Next: Ahmedabad
On September 27, the committee will visit Ahmedabad, Gujarat. They will meet with the Government of Gujarat, the Gujarat Waqf Board, and other stakeholders. Gujarat’s efficient governance model will be discussed as a potential example for waqf management.
Hyderabad Meeting
The committee will hold discussions in Hyderabad on September 28. Representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board will join. Hyderabad’s significant waqf properties, like the Mecca Masjid, will be a key focus.
Chennai Discussions
On September 30, the committee will meet in Chennai with the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, and the State Minority Commission. The focus will be on challenges faced by waqf properties in rural areas.
Final Stop: Bengaluru
The last meeting will be in Bengaluru on October 1. Representatives from the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka Waqf Board, and the State Minority Commission will participate. Kerala Waqf Board members will also join to provide insights on integrating waqf assets into social welfare schemes.
Key Aspects of the Bill
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce digitisation of records, stricter audits, and better legal recourse for encroachments. The committee’s nationwide consultations will help ensure the amendments are practical and effective.
Doubts Revealed
Parliamentary Committee -: A group of people from the Parliament who come together to discuss and make decisions about specific topics or laws.
Waqf -: A waqf is a type of charitable trust in Islam where property or money is donated for religious or charitable purposes.
Amendment -: A change or addition to a law or a document to make it better or more up-to-date.
Bill -: A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law that is presented to the Parliament for discussion.
Digitisation -: The process of converting information into a digital format so it can be easily stored and accessed on computers.
Audits -: Checks or reviews of financial records to make sure everything is correct and legal.
Encroachments -: When someone illegally takes over land or property that does not belong to them.
Mumbai -: A big city in India, also known as Bombay, which is the capital of the state of Maharashtra.
Ahmedabad -: A large city in the state of Gujarat, India.
Hyderabad -: A major city in the state of Telangana, India.
Chennai -: A big city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Bengaluru -: A large city in the state of Karnataka, India, also known as Bangalore.
