8.7 lakh properties, 3rd largest land owner: Waqf boards' clout in numbers

Waqf refers to properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law, and any other use or sale of the property is prohibited (PTI Photo)

The Lok Sabha on April 2 took up the Waqf (Amendment) Bill for discussion, after incorporating suggestions from the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) that scrutinised the bill after its introduction in August last year.

On August 8, 2024, two bills, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, were introduced by the government with an aim to streamline the Waqf Board's work and ensure the efficient management of Waqf properties.

According to the government, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to improve the functioning of Waqf properties, address complexities, ensure transparency and introduce technology-driven management.

According to the government data, Waqf boards currently control 8.7 lakh properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across India with an estimated value of 1.2 lakh crore. Notably, India has the largest waqf holding in the world. After the Armed Forces and Indian Railways, the Waqf Board is the largest landowner in India.

The data suggests that there are 8,72,328 immovable and 16,713 movable properties registered under Waqf Board. There are also 3,56, 051 Waqf Estates registered under Waqf Board.

Reportedly, Uttar Pradesh has the highest immovable properties in the country at 2,32,547 followed by West Bengal at 80,480. Almost half the Waqf properties are in states or UTs currently ruled by the BJP.

The Sachar Committee, which submitted its report in 2006, observed that if these properties are put up to efficient and marketable use, they can generate at least a minimum revenue of 10 per cent which is about Rs 12,000 crore per annum.

The committee also recommended various measures to improve the management of Waqf. It emphasised on the need for regulation and functioning of Mutawallis, efficient management of records, inclusion of non-Muslim technical expertise in management of Waqf, organisational reforms to strengthen Waqf Boards administratively to include two women member in Central Waqf Board (CWC) and each State Waqf Board (SWBs), appointment of joint secretary level officer in CWC/SWBs, and bring the Waqf under the scheme of financial audit.

Waqf refers to properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law, and any other use or sale of the property is prohibited. Waqf means that the ownership of the property is now taken away from the person making Waqf and transferred and detained by Allah.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs last year shared that there were 40,951 cases lying pending in Tribunals -- out of which 9,942 cases were filed by the Muslims community against the institutions managing waqf.

Moreover, there were inordinate delay in disposal of cases and no provision for judicial oversight provided on tribunal decisions.

Tabling the Bill, Rijiju said the legislation has nothing to do with religion, but deals only with properties.

"The government is not going to interfere in any religious institution. The changes made in the Waqf law by the UPA government gave it overriding effect over other statutes, hence the new amendments were required," he said.

The minister said more than 97.27 lakh petitions and memorandums were received by the JPC through physical and online formats and the JPC had gone through each of them before finalising its report.

As many as 284 delegations submitted their views on the Bill besides the Waqf boards of 25 states and Union Territories, he said.

"Waqf is controlling the third largest pool of properties in the country after railways and defence. The railways and defence properties belong to the nation, but Waqf properties are private in nature. It is unfair to compare them with the land banks of railways and armed forces," he said.

As of 2004, a total of 4.9 lakh properties were held by the Waqf and their income was just Rs 163 crore, Rijiju noted. After the 2013 amendment, the minister said, the income has gone up by just Rs 3 crore to Rs 166 crore.

"We can't accept such meagre income from such a huge bank of properties. The income should have been at least Rs 12,000 crore. Waqf property has to be used for poor Muslims, and the Waqf Bill is needed to achieve this purpose," he said.