New Delhi [India], February 2: The Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is set to present its report in the Lok Sabha on Monday, February 3. According to the List of Business, Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, along with BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal, will present both Hindi and English versions of the report and lay on the table the record of evidence submitted before the Committee.
The report was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30, 2025. On the same day, Jagdambika Pal met with the Speaker to hand over the committee’s final report on the bill.
The JPC had earlier approved the Waqf Bill, 1995 with 25 amendments across 14 clauses and sections. The amendments were adopted after a majority vote during the JPC’s discussions. On January 29, the draft report and revised bill were finalized, with opposition leaders submitting their dissent notes.
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Jagdambika Pal stated, “We have adopted the report and the amended revised bill. For the first time, we have included a section ensuring that the benefits of Waqf go to the marginalized, poor, women, and orphans.” He further explained that the committee had reviewed 44 clauses, with amendments proposed to 14 clauses, which were then approved through a majority vote.
The Waqf Act of 1995, which governs Waqf properties, has faced criticism for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to address these challenges with reforms such as digitization, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.
In addition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to introduce a Bill on Monday, February 3, to establish the Institute of Rural Management Anand as a university, which will be known as the “Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill.” The bill aims to promote technical and management education in the co-operative sector and strengthen the co-operative movement through a network of institutions, aligning with the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”.
The ongoing Budget session of Parliament, which began on January 31, will continue until April 4.