Centre to table bill in Lok Sabha to curb Waqf board powers: All you need to know

Waqf refers to the properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under the Islamic law.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government will table the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday to amend the Waqf Act, 1995.

With 40 amendments, the Bill has proposed to revoke several clauses in the existing Waqf Act including the introduction of the 'district collector'. The Amendment Bill has been in the works for the last few years with the government meeting various stakeholders, including members of the community, eminent jurists and lawyers.

Waqf refers to the properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under the Islamic law. Waqf Boards currently control 8.7 lakh properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across India with an estimated value of Rs 1.2 lakh crore, according to The Hindu. It makes them the third largest landowner in India after the armed forces and the Indian Railways. The Act was last amended in 2013.

• The word “Waqf” will be substituted with “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development” in the principal act enacted in 1995.

• The term Waqf will be clearly defined by a person practicing Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property.

• According to PTI, the Bill seeks to omit Section 40 of the current law. This section is linked to the powers of the board to decide if a property is Waqf property.

• District collectors can settle any disputes between the Waqf Board and the government.

• A separate Board of Auqaf for the Boharas and Aghakhanis can be set up. The draft law aims to ensure representation of Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis and other backward classes among Muslim communities.

• The draft bill also details the process for mutation, in accordance with revenue laws, before recording any property as Waqf property.

•The registration of Waqf property must be through a central portal and database.

• The Bill proposes to decrease the annual contribution from seven per cent to five per cent payable to the Board by “mutawalli” of every Waqf having a net annual income of not less than Rs 5,000.

• The tribunal structure may be restructured with two members apart from providing for appeals against the orders of the tribunal to the high court within a specified period of 90 days.

Several prominent Dargah chiefs met Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju,  on Tuesday to offer their support to the legislation.