"I am confident that we will all come to consensus": Waqf Amendment Bill JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal

"We are going to present the report in the budget session," Pal told ANI.

He further said that the JPC has been meeting continuously for the last 6 months, holding meetings across the country.

"The JPC has been meeting continuously for the last 6 months, holding meetings across the country. I am confident that we will all come to a consensus and present our report. Last time we had to present it in the winter session but it was extended, so we are going to present this report in the budget session," the BJP MP added.

On Sealdah court to pronounce the quantum of sentence in the RG Kar case today, he said, "It was a heinous crime that shook not only the people of Kolkata but the entire country. I think the way the judiciary has heard the case in such a short time and has charged him, we definitely hope that he will be given the harshest punishment; he will be hanged..."

The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is to submit its report during the budget session. The term of the committee was extended during the winter session of Parliament.

The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments.

Notably, the budget session of Parliament will commence on January 31 and continue till April 4, with the union budget to be presented on February 1.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is conducting extensive consultations with government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives from various states and Union Territories to ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the legislation. (ANI)