New Delhi- The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 has held its first meeting in New Delhi. The committee is headed by BJP MP Jagjadambika Pal and has 31 members, including 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.

The committee has been tasked by the Lok Sabha with scrutinizing the bill. The Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Ministry of Law and Justice are providing a briefing to the members of the committee regarding the amendments proposed in the draft law.

It is worth noting that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to rectify the flaws and enhance the efficiency of the administration and management of waqf properties. The bill has also proposed renaming the Waqf Act 1995 as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act 1995.

Among other changes, the bill proposes the inclusion of the Survey Commissioner in the role of Collector and any other officer not below the rank of Deputy Collector nominated by the Collector for the survey of waqf properties. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 also proposes the formation of a broad-based Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards with the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims. The bill further proposes the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Agha Khanis with representation of Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani and other backward classes among Muslim communities.