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Waqf Amendment Bill JPC Chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal on Friday said that detailed discussions took place with stakeholders as part of its nationwide consultation exercise on the proposed legislation in Ahmedabad.
The meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 with the Gujarat government was held in Ahmedabad. According to Pal, the meeting was attended by the Gujarat Home Minister, Gujarat's Waqf board officers, chairman, minority commission officials and Islamic scholars. "Detailed discussions took place regarding Waqf Amendment Bill, yesterday we were in Mumbai and today we are in Ahmedabad. Today, in Ahmedabad, a meeting of JPC members and state govt took place state Home minister, Gujarat's Waqf board officers, chairman, minority commission officials, Islamic scholars, all were part of the meet...we listened to their views and suggestions...our committee will ponder it," BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Aug 8 and was then referred to a JPC after a heated debate. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi 'briefed' JPC regarding their 'concern' on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. "A delegation of the Gujarat Government briefed the Joint Parliamentary Committee regarding our concerns towards the amendments in the Waqf Bill... These concerns were presented for the benefit of all the citizens of the state and the country. It was my responsibility to present the concerns of the state in front of the JPC. As far as the benefit of the state is concerned, the Bhupendra Patel government will present its points firmly. This is an appreciable step by the central government. The states and the citizens are welcoming this. It is in everyone's favour. The Gujarat State government has already said that we welcome this step," Harsh Sanghvi said The JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is holding a series of informal discussions with various stakeholders till October 1. These consultations aim to refine the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, which governs the management of over 600,000 registered waqf properties across the country. The Waqf Act, 1995, was created to regulate waqf properties, but it has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. (ANI)
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