Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024
Kiren Rijiju Union Ministers of Affairs introduced the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024 in Lok Sabha. The draft bill states that the term “Waqf” will be replaced with “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development” in the main law that was established in 1995.
Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024 Draft
By enforcing stricter regulations, the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to:
- Increase transparency in the management of Waqf assets.
- Clarify the definition of Waqf properties, stating that government properties will not be recognized as Waqf.
- Empower women within the Waqf system.
- Remove oral declarations for classifying Waqf properties.
- Prevent the misuse of properties by ensuring proper verification processes.
What is Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024
The Waqf Board Act was first enacted in 1954 and was later replaced by the Waqf Act of 1995. The Waqf Board Act is a legislative framework that regulates Waqf properties in India. Waqf properties are those that are donated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law.
Here are some of the key amendments proposed in the bill:
- Property Registration and Verification: Waqf Boards will be required to register their properties with district authorities to ensure proper verification and oversight.
- Verification of Properties: The bill requires mandatory new verification of disputed lands, enhancing the clarity around property ownership and management.
- Reform in Functioning: Revision in sections 9 and 14 to reform the functioning of the Waqf Boards to curb its arbitrary powers.
- Inclusion of Women: The proposed amendments advocate for the inclusion of women in Waqf Boards, promoting gender equality in decision-making processes.