Waqf Amendment Bill To Be Tabled In Budget Session 2025, Modi Govt Gears Up For Presentation

The Waqf Amendment Bill, likely to be introduced in Parliament's Budget Session 2025, aims to address mismanagement and encroachments of Waqf properties.

File Photo | It was anticipated that the Modi government would present the Waqf Amendment bill during the Winter Session, but now it is slated for introduction in the upcoming Budget session.  

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Waqf Amendment Bill, which has been under discussion for several months, is now expected to be introduced in the Budget Session of Parliament in 2025, sources said. Earlier, it was anticipated that the government would present the bill during the Winter Session, but preparations are now underway for its introduction in the upcoming Budget session.  

According to sources, the government has completed its preparations for the bill's presentation.

'Time Is Running Out': Jagdambika Pal Ahead Of Budget Session Over Waqf Amendment Bill Report 

Notably, the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Jagdambika Pal, expressed concern over the limited time to finalise and submit the committee's report ahead of the Budget Session, which commences on January 31. The committee has been conducting a nationwide tour to gather information for a comprehensive analysis. 

In an interview with news agency ANI on Saturday, Jagdambika Pal highlighted the committee’s ongoing nationwide tour to gather essential inputs for the report. "I have arrived in Bihar, and this is crucial. We will be meeting with the Waqf Board, stakeholders, delegations, and the Minority Commission here. We need to submit our report during the budget session, so time is running out," Pal stated.

He further explained that the amendment was introduced to resolve disputes, such as those in Kerala, where an old church was declared a Waqf property, and now claims are emerging over Kumbh land. "This amendment aims to address such issues. The government could have passed the amendment in both houses, but priority was given to ensuring transparency and a thorough report," he added.

Pal also mentioned that the committee has already conducted 34 meetings in Delhi and interacted with over 204 delegations and stakeholders. The committee's tenure was extended during the Winter Session of Parliament to facilitate a comprehensive review.  

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is designed to address longstanding issues with the Waqf Act of 1995, including mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments on Waqf properties. The amendment seeks to introduce reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal measures to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is consulting with government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives across various states and Union Territories to ensure a holistic reform of the legislation.

The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on 31 January and continue until 4 April, with the Union Budget scheduled to be presented on 1 February. Additionally, the JPC formed to examine the implementation of 'One Nation, One Election' has been directed to submit its report in the first week of the session’s final week. However, there has been a strong demand for an extension of the committee’s tenure.