HOME > MARKETS > ECONOMY NEWS
  ECONOMY NEWS
ECONOMY
BJP-led NDA amendments accepted; Opposition's defeated in Waqf committee
Jan-27-2025

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, adopted all amendments proposed by the ruling BJP-led NDA members and rejected every change moved by opposition INDIA bloc in a clause-by-clause discussion.

Speaking after the meeting, JPC chairperson BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, said the amendments moved by the NDA members in 14 of the Bill's clauses have been accepted. The amendments included changes to 14 clauses. He said opposition members moved hundreds of amendments in all 44 clauses and all of them were defeated by vote. He further said that amendments adopted by the committee will make the law better and more effective. 

Some other amendments include allowing state government officials along with district magistrates to be appointed for certain roles and increasing Waqf tribunal members from 2 to 3 members. The JPC announced that the draft report will be circulated by January 28 and will then be formally adopted on January 29. 

Meanwhile, Opposition MPs criticised the meeting's proceedings and accused Pal of ‘subverting’ the democratic process. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, ‘It was a farcical exercise. We were not heard. Pal has acted in a dictatorial manner’.

The Waqf panel has 31 members from both Houses of Parliament: 16 from the NDA, including 12 from the BJP; 13 from Opposition parties, one from YSR Congress Party, and one nominated member. The Bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, to address issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties.


  RELATED NEWS >>