Waqf Bill JPC Presents Reform Report Amid Dissent

The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is set to present its report to Parliament after a six-month nationwide consultation. The report proposes 25 amendments across 14 clauses, addressing concerns like mismanagement and corruption. Dissent from committee members will also be discussed.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, chaired by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal, is scheduled to present its report in Parliament following extensive nationwide consultations. Over six months, the committee adopted 25 amendments targeting 14 clauses to address issues like mismanagement and corruption within Waqf properties.

Despite inclusion of dissenting notes in the report, some JPC members expressed concerns about not being adequately heard. Chairman Jagadambika Pal emphasized that the dissent notes were documented in the appendix, alongside records from relevant stakeholders. The Report, after being presented to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, is expected to spark discussions in Parliament.

Trinamool Congress MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Md Nadimul Haque criticized the removal of portions from their dissent notes. They claim the JPC's conclusions were biased and disregarded inputs from stakeholders and opposition members. Aiming to curb corruption and mismanagement in Waqf properties, the 2024 Amendment Bill seeks reforms including digitization, enhanced audits, and new legal frameworks.