Management of Waqf Property – In India, waqf properties are managed by Waqf Boards, which are legal entities established under the Waqf Act, 1954, and later governed by the Waqf Act, 1995. Each state in India has a State Waqf Board responsible for the administration, maintenance, and development of waqf properties within its jurisdiction. The Central Waqf Council, a statutory body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, oversees and advises State Waqf Boards. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill , 2024 in the Lok Sabha today, which aims to bring changes to the Waqf Act, 1995, that governs the management of Waqf properties in the country. The bill was first introduced in the Parliament last year and referred to a joint parliamentary panel. The opposition has objected to the proposed 44 amendments. Here’s why What is Waqf Amendment Bill and why is Opposition against it? The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposes significant changes to the Waqf Act, seeking improved efficiency and management of waqf properties. How the Waqf (Amendment) Bill , 2024 addresses these drawbacks Introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024, and refined through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) by early 2025, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to reform the 1995 Act (renamed the "United Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995").
