JPC Report on Waqf Amendment Bill Accepted by Majority

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf Amendment Bill has been accepted by a majority of 15 votes compared to 11. It is expected that the JPC will submit its report to the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Thursday, and it will be presented in both houses during the upcoming budget session. The government will attempt to pass the bill, incorporating the 15 amendments proposed by the JPC, during the second phase of the budget session. The final report of the JPC includes the 15 amendments suggested by the ruling party members, while the amendments suggested by the opposition were rejected by the majority. Opposition members have raised objections to the report, calling it an interference in Muslim religious matters.

According to sources, four key amendments were made in the bill. The most significant one limits the role of the Collector in determining Waqf property. When the bill was introduced in August, opposition raised concerns over the excessive powers granted to the Collector. The JPC's report proposes that a senior officer such as a Commissioner or Secretary, appointed by the state government, should replace the Collector. The JPC also recommended that the Waqf law should not be applied retrospectively, with the condition that the land should not be government-owned or involved in any pre-existing dispute. Additionally, the report has excluded large registered trusts associated with the Muslim community from the Waqf law and has included Muslim scholars in the Waqf board.