At JPC Meeting on Waqf Amendment, Opposition Says Officials ‘Unprepared’, Govt Hits Back

Members of Parliament’s Joint Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill recently met in Parliament to discuss the issues surrounding Waqf properties, particularly in Delhi. The Ministry of Urban Development highlighted the numerous disputes related to these properties and emphasized the need for government control to prevent legal battles and unnecessary expenses. During the meeting, officials from various ministries made presentations, but opposition MPs raised concerns about unresolved title disputes and questioned the government’s handling of properties acquired in the past. The meeting saw heated exchanges between MPs from different parties, with demands for written responses on key issues. The upcoming meetings are expected to address further challenges in managing Waqf properties, with officials from the Archaeological Survey of India set to appear. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is currently under scrutiny in Parliament.