Bill removes powers of Waqf Board; non-Muslims and women on board

• Centre is all set to introduce the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 to amend the Waqf Act 1995

Highlights:

• 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 1.2 lakh crores.
• It makes them the third largest landowner in India after the armed forces and the Indian Railways.
• The proposed legislation omits Section 40 relating to the powers of Board to decide if a property is waqf property.
• The proposed legislation will ensure representation of Muslim and non-Muslims in the Central Wakf Council and the State Wakf Boards.
• The bill proposes registration of Waqf properties through a central portal and database
• It also provides detailed procedure for mutation as per revenue laws with due notice to all concerned before recording any property as waqf property.
• The bill provides for the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis and also ensures representation of Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani and other backward classes among Muslim communities.
• The Waqf Act, 1995, was enacted to provide for the better administration of Auqaf and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• However, during the course of implementation of the Act, it is felt that the Act has not proved effective in improving the administration of auqaf.
• Based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retired) Rajinder Sachar and the Report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf and Central Waqf Council comprehensive amendments were made in the Act in the year 2013.

Prelims Takeaway

• Waqf Act