The Union Cabinet has approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill based on the report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which was tabled in Parliament on February 13. According to reports, the Cabinet approved the amendments to the bill during a meeting on February 19.
The report was presented in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the first half of the 2025 Budget Session, leading to disruptions and brief adjournments following protests by Opposition members.
Opposition MPs had alleged that their dissent notes had been redacted from the JPC report, a claim denied by the Centre.
As per media reports, the Union Cabinet’s approval of the report has paved the way for the introduction of the bill in the second half of the Budget Session, set to commence on March 10.
The proposed legislation seeks to streamline the registration of Waqf properties and implement key structural changes to Waqf board governance.
The JPC, chaired by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal, recommended several amendments to the bill, despite opposition from non-NDA members. In January, the parliamentary committee adopted all amendments put forward by the BJP-led NDA, rejecting changes suggested by Opposition members during a clause-by-clause discussion.
Of the 44 amendments proposed, changes to 14 clauses were suggested by NDA members and subsequently approved by the panel after a vote.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposes major reforms in the functioning of Waqf boards, which manage properties donated for religious and charitable purposes by the Muslim community.
Key provisions include the inclusion of at least two non-Muslim members on state Waqf boards and granting a government official the authority to arbitrate disputes regarding whether a property qualifies as Waqf property.
After detailed deliberations, the JPC’s final report was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. The revised bill, incorporating the 14 amendments proposed by the ruling NDA, was formally adopted by the panel on January 29. All changes suggested by Opposition MPs were rejected.
The bill was initially scheduled to be introduced during the Winter Session in November 2024 but was referred to the JPC for a detailed review.
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