The Narendra Modi-led Central government is all set to bring changes to the Waqf Act, thereby redefining the powers of the Waqf Board, sources told CNN-News18 said. On Friday, the Union Cabinet approved around 40 amendments to the Waqf Act.
“As per the proposed amendments, the claims on properties made by Waqf Boards will be mandatorily verified. Similarly, mandatory verification has been proposed for disputed properties of Waqf Boards,” sources added.
They have also indicated that a Bill to amend the Waqf Act is likely to be introduced in Parliament next week.
Waqf Boards have approximately over 8.7 lakh properties totaling around 9.4 lakh acres. In 2013, the UPA government had given more powers to the Waqf Boards by amending the original Act. The Waqf Act, 1995, was enacted to regulate ‘auqaf’ (assets donated and notified as waqf) by a wakif—the person who dedicates a property for any purpose recognized by Muslim law as pious, religious, or charitable.
The proposed amendments aim to give representation to women in the Central Waqf Council and state boards.
“These amendments will be extremely important in the wake of the upcoming elections in the states of Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand,” sources further stated.
The government had previously noted the sweeping powers of the state Waqf boards to stake claims on any property and the delays in surveying such properties in most states.
Additionally, the government had considered involving district magistrates in monitoring Waqf properties to prevent misuse of the assets.
Sources mentioned that flaws in the appeal process were also under scrutiny. For example, an appeal against a decision of the board lies with the tribunal, but there is no timeline for the disposal of such appeals. The decision of tribunals is final, and there is no provision for appeal except under writ jurisdiction in high courts.
At present, there are 30 Waqf boards across the country.
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