The Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill submitted its report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government is likely to pass the bill during the upcoming budget session.
The JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal met Speaker Birla at his office in Parliament House and handed over the report. The panel report was adopted on Wednesday by a majority vote. The report on the draft legislation was adopted by a 15-11 majority vote. Reportedly, the final report contained changes suggested by members of the ruling party, while changes demanded by opposition members were not accepted. The opposition dubbed the exercise an attempt to destroy Waqf boards and submitted dissent notes.
JPC chairperson MP Pal told ANI that 38 meetings were held discussions were held with 250 stakeholders regarding the draft legislation. “I hope we have fulfilled the responsibility that was given to us by the Speaker. The government wanted to hold discussions on bringing this new law. The way in which all the members have contributed to the Bill, it will definitely benefit the poor, women and children,” Pal said.
The opposition termed the bill as an attack on the constitutional rights of the Muslim community and interference in the functioning of waqf boards. The ruling BJP claims the bill aims to bring modernity, transparency and accountability in the manner in which waqf properties are managed.
