The Lok Sabha on Thursday approved a motion to extend the term of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with the committee now set to present its report at the conclusion of the 2025 budget session.
JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal explained that the extension was necessary due to ongoing disputes over property ownership between state governments and Waqf boards in six states. He noted that the committee had requested responses from these states but had not yet received any. As a result, the committee decided to delay the presentation of its findings until the end of the 2025 budget session.
Pal also addressed the history of the government’s handling of properties claimed by the Waqf Board. He explained that during the previous government’s tenure, a decision was made to transfer certain government properties to the Waqf board at a nominal rate. However, this decision was later stayed by the court. He added that without the court’s intervention, properties valued at approximately Rs 1 lakh crore would have been handed over to the Waqf Board.
Criticizing opposition members for their complaints about the committee’s workload, Pal emphasized that the committee had conducted over 125 hours of meetings, consulting with Waqf boards, government officials, and the minority commission. He dismissed the opposition’s claims of excessive work, asserting that the committee had been diligent in fulfilling its mandate and had given ample time for all parties to present their views.
The Waqf Bill is now expected to be presented during the last week of the 2025 budget session.