Wakf Bill may be introduced in Monsoon Session

New Delhi: The much-talked about Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2010 may be introduced with sweeping amendments in the Monsoon session of Parliament. The changes include permitting the lease of Wakf properties for commercial purposes up to 30 years from the existing three years cap but the government is not convinced with the arguments by a section of Muslim organisations that Wakf properties should be allowed to be sold out.[caption id=“attachment_335892” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Parliament of India. Reuters”]  [/caption] “We have accepted most of the recommendations and suggestions of the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha and some other stakeholders on the Wakf Bill. Most probably it will come in the next session of Parliament,” Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told a conference of state minority ministers. He also said that the select committee of Rajya Sabha to which the bill was referred last year, has also taken on board the suggestions given by the states. The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha in May 2010. The select Committee of Parliament has suggested modification of some 19 clauses of the Bill. Some of amendments suggested by the committee included removal of power of Wakf boards to even mortgage any Wakf property. At the same time it also suggested that the Wakf boards should be empowered to lease Wakf property for short periods at market rent in the interest of the community. Suggesting strong penal provision for those encroaching the Wakf properties, the Committee has also recommended that if Wakf land already acquired is not put to use within one year for the public purpose for which it was acquired, than it shall revert back to the Wakf Board. It has also suggested a review of Wakf lands acquired since 1995 to ascertain whether they have been put to the use for the public purpose for which they were acquired. PTI