New Delhi, 1 April (IANS). The government will introduce it to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after the recommendations of the JPC amid the rhetoric and protests issued on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. The Waqf Act, 1995 is not being amended for the first time. This law was also amended during the UPA government in 2013.
The details of the objectives and reasons of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 stated that extensive amendments were made to the Act in the year 2013.
It further states, “Despite the amendments, it has been observed that the Act still needs further improvement in the Act to effectively address related issues, including the powers of the state Waqf boards, the removal of encroachments, the definition of Vakf, the definition of Waqf.”
It states that in 2013, the Act was amended in 2013 based on the recommendations of the High Level Committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retired) Rajinder Sachar and the report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf and Central Waqf Council and after detailed consultation with other stakeholders.
A major objective of the Bill 2024 is to rename the Waqf Act, 1995 to integrated Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.
The purpose of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is clearly defined as “Waqf” as a person to follow Islam for at least five years and owe such a property, and ensure that the creation of Waqf-Alle-Aolad will not deprive women of heritage rights.
Other purposes of the bill include removing the provisions related to “Waqf” by the user; To hand over the works of the survey commissioner to any officer below the post of Deputy Collector duly designated by the Collector or Collector; Providing a comprehensive structure of Central Waqf Parishad and State Waqf boards and ensuring representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims and providing a separate ex-board for Bohra and Aghakhanis.
Another major objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to solve the problems and challenges faced in the regulation and management of Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill wants to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.
Its purpose is to remove the deficiencies of the Act and improve the efficiency of Waqf Boards by bringing changes like improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in the management of Waqf records.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Eight hours have been fixed to discuss this. The ruling BJP and opposition Congress and Samajwadi Party have issued whips to their MPs for the next three days.
Discussion on the bill and then approval, it is also being seen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government as an opportunity to show power to claim numerical superiority of NDA in the lower house.
-IANS
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