Waqf bill ready for tabling in Parliament, Cabinet approves the proposed law

The Union Cabinet has approved the revised Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament, The Times of India reported, citing sources.

In its latest meeting, the Cabinet approved the revised bill after incorporating various amendments proposed in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report submitted to Parliament.

The central government is expected to present the revised bill for approval in the second part of the Budget session in Parliament.

However, amendments suggested by opposition MPs in the parliamentary panel were rejected, while those from the BJP and its allies were accepted.

The Cabinet approved 14 changes to the original draft, as suggested by the JPC, which had been reviewing the bill since August.

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The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposed 44 changes to laws regulating central and state Waqf boards, which manage Muslim charitable properties in India.

Report on the JPC changes

The bill was cleared on the basis of the report by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which was tabled in both Houses of Parliament during the first half of the Budget session amid uproar by the opposition parties.

Sources said to The Times of India that the Union Cabinet approved the report last week.

JPC approved all changes proposed by NDA members

However, the panel approved all 14 changes proposed by BJP-led NDA members while rejecting all 44 amendments put forward by the opposition.

Bill to streamline Waqf properties

The bill aims to streamline the registration of Waqf properties. Key provisions of the bill include adding at least two non-Muslim members to state Waqf boards and allowing a government official to decide if a property belongs to Waqf.