Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told News18 that there has been continuous demand and representations from poor and common Muslims, including women, for a long time to make Waqf property more transparent, efficient and beneficial for the community. Top government sources told News18 that the government is planning to bring the Waqf Act Amendment Bill to Parliament on Thursday (August 8) or even earlier, depending on the passage of the Finance Bill.
“There is a lot of demand and pressure from common Muslims to bring the Waqf Bill soon. The Waqf Bill has been in the works for long, not related to politics or elections," top government sources said.
Sources said the main issue the Waqf amendment bill addresses is verification of the properties by an authority, as right now, there is no fool-proof mechanism for it.
The second major change is it is for Muslims who are victims here, not Hindus, and Muslims complain they cannot appeal beyond a tribunal in case of a dispute. “We are changing that as an appeal can now be made against a tribunal judgment in a high court. It is a progressive law," sources said.
“There is neither a verification process, nor process to appeal right now. Verification is the most important aspect of the new law – title will be checked," sources said. Suggestions have been taken from all stakeholders and even examples from foreign countries have been studied while drafting the bill, sources added.
Sources also said the Waqf Act has been misused and the Muslims who are victims in the matter had petitioned the Government. “They wanted regulations. The screening committee for verification in the existing Act is not allowed to work properly. Now, Collector or ADM will ensure verification of properties," government sources said.
Sources also added that the hands of government and courts are tied so far under Waqf Act — the 2013 law passed by the UPA had ensured it.
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