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Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, Jagdambika Pal, stated on Tuesday that from November 9 to 14, the committee will visit multiple cities, including Guwahati and Kolkata, to meet delegations and prepare its report on the contentious bill.
Speaking to ANI, Jagdambika Pal emphasised that the committee is providing an opportunity for all stakeholders to share their views on the Waqf Bill. "I held the first meeting on August 22. Since then, 25 meetings have been conducted. During these meetings, we examined six ministries and engaged with 37 stakeholders, including Islamic and minority organisations. Approximately 123 stakeholders have appeared before the committee. Among them were three MPs, three MLAs, MLCs, and a Minister of State from Gujarat. Additionally, representatives from six states, eight Waqf Boards, and four Minority Commissions have appeared," Pal explained. He further noted that meetings have been organised across various states in North and South India, not only in Delhi. "From November 9 to 14, we will travel to several cities to meet various delegations to prepare our report. We will start in Guwahati, followed by Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow. To compile this report, we have not only held 25 meetings in Delhi but are also conducting meetings across North and South India. We are ensuring that everyone has the chance to express their views. Each of these 25 meetings has typically lasted 9-10 hours," Jagdambika Pal added. The BJP MP also affirmed that the JPC will meet its deadline to submit the report. Notably, the committee is expected to present its report on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 to the House by the end of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament. The Winter Session of Parliament will commence on November 25 and continue until December 20. The JPC's efforts form part of a broader national initiative to reform the Waqf Act, ensuring that waqf properties serve the greater good of the community. The Waqf Act, 1995, originally established to regulate waqf properties, has long faced accusations of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to implement sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, enhanced transparency, and legal frameworks to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is conducting a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives from various states and Union Territories, aiming to achieve comprehensive reform. (ANI)
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