Amendment to Waqf Act proposes inclusion of non-Muslims and Muslim women in Waqf boards; strips the Board of powers to declare a property as waqf

According to a copy of the bill accessed by The Hindu, the proposed legislation will ensure “representation of Muslim and non-Muslims” in Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards.

Centre is all set to introduce the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 in the Parliament this week to amend the Waqf Act 1995.

The proposed legislation “omits Section 40 relating to the powers of Board to decide if a property is waqf property.”

According to a copy of the bill accessed by The Hindu, the proposed legislation will ensure “representation of Muslim and non-Muslims” in Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards.

The bill proposes registration of Waqf properties through a central portal and database and provides for “detailed procedure for mutation as per revenuelaws with due notice to all concerned before recording any property as waqf property.”

The bill was circulated among Lok Sabha members of parliament on Wednesday.

The bill provides for establishment of 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 statement of objects and reasons by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “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.”