New Delhi
The parliamentary committee examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has sought details of Waqf properties under unauthorized occupation from state governments. The Sachar Committee report mentioned encroachment on Waqf properties in several states. The committee has also sought details from the states of the properties claimed by the Waqf boards under Section 40 of the Waqf Act. Let us tell you that the tenure of the parliamentary committee has now been extended till the last day of the budget session.
Debate broke out on Section 40
The Congress government had amended the Waqf Act in 2013. There is the most controversy over Section 40 of this law. Actually, this section empowers the Waqf boards to decide whether any property belongs to Waqf or not. Now there is a preparation to curb this in the current amendment bill. However, many Muslim organizations including opposition parties criticized the government’s move. He termed the bill as interference in religious matters.
Details of captured properties sought from states
The parliamentary committee has also sought details of those Waqf properties which are in the possession of the state government or its official agencies. The Sachar Committee formed in 2005 was informed about unauthorized occupations by various Waqf boards. The parliamentary committee is collecting information from the states through the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
