The Rajya Sabha passed the Waqf Bill, considered as the United Progressive Alliance’s recipe for stopping encroachments of Waqf properties, here on Monday. The Bill, passed in the Lok Sabha over three years ago, was pending with the Upper House, as the elders wanted substantial changes in the legislation.

Amendments

The Government has accepted a number of amendments suggested by the Select Committee on the Bill, chaired by Saifuddin Soz. Minority Affairs Minister K. Rahman Khan said the Bill would help poor Muslims to use the Waqf properties commercially for their own benefit. He said the properties could generate revenues Rs 1 lakh crore annually.

Opposition’s view

The Opposition, however, suggested certain amendments. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the Bill did not have stringent provisions to punish encroachers. He said the provision that States could bring in a no-confidence motion against the Chairman of the Waqf Board within a year of his appointment was likely to be misused.

CPI (M) MP C.P Narayanan said the 2010 Bill was much better than the amended version. He said the present Bill does not have adequate measures to protect the Waqf properties. JD (U) leader Anwar Ali Ansari said encroachment was rampant.

It is estimated that there are four lakh registered Waqf properties across the country. The present value of these properties is estimated at Rs 6,000 crore.

> jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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