Waqf Bill Likely to Be Taken Up in Parliament’s Budget Session Second Half Following Cabinet Approval
New Delhi, Feb 27: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is expected to be presented in Parliament during the second half of the ongoing Budget Session after the Union Cabinet approved key amendments suggested by the joint parliamentary committee, sources revealed.
In a meeting held on February 19, the Cabinet reportedly gave its assent to 14 proposed amendments recommended by the committee, which had been reviewing the Bill. The committee, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, had submitted its 655-page report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. The report was tabled in Parliament on February 13, sparking uproar and a walkout by opposition parties.
The Bill primarily focuses on streamlining the registration of Waqf properties and preventing their misuse. With the Cabinet's approval, it is now likely to be discussed during the second part of the Budget Session, scheduled between March 10 and April 4. Several senior BJP leaders have expressed confidence that the Bill will be passed in this session itself.
The 31-member parliamentary panel, after conducting multiple hearings and deliberations, suggested several amendments. However, opposition members disagreed with the report and registered their dissent. The committee's report, which incorporated changes supported by BJP members, was adopted through a 15-11 majority vote, leading opposition parties to accuse the government of attempting to undermine Waqf boards.
The Bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju before being referred to the joint parliamentary committee for further review.
As the debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill intensifies, it remains to be seen how Parliament addresses the concerns raised by opposition parties in the upcoming discussions.
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