Waqf Bill to be introduced in Lok Sabha on August 8, Opposition demands sending it to parliamentary panel

The Bill which seeks to amend the law governing waqf boards has proposed far-reaching changes in the present Act, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.

New Delhi: The Opposition wants the controversial Bill to amend the Waqf Act slated to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday should be sent to the parliamentary standing committee for further consultations before being taken up for passage.

The Centre, however, remained non-committal to the Opposition’s demand in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. It will take a call on the issue after gauging the mood of the House, sources say.

The Bill, which will seek to move 40 amendments to the existing law, seeks to, among other things, enable non-Muslim and Muslim women representation in central and state Waqf Boards. The amendments also seek to omit a section in the existing Act that empowers the Boards to declare a property as Waqf without due diligence and procedure.

The government says the proposed changes are aimed at improving the management of Waqf properties.

Waqf (plural Auqaf) is an Islamic endowment of property held in trust and used for charitable or religious purposes.

Waqf Boards in states and Center oversee the administration of more than 9 lakh acres of land of 8.5 lakh properties.

The Sachar Committee formed by the UPA government under Manmohan Singh had delved into the misuse and encroachments of the Waqf properties. Later a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed to look into the issue and based on its report, the Waqf Act was amended in 2013.

The Bill moved by the current government seeks registration of Waqf properties prescribing a process for mutation of the said property as per revenue laws while giving due notice to concerned parties to register their objections.

The Bill also provides for establishing a separate Board for Boharas and Aghakhanis and has a provision to ensure larger representation within the community by giving representation to Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani, and other backward classes among Muslim communities.