New Delhi: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Wednesday approved the draft report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with 14 votes in favor and 11 against. Opposition members, who opposed the report, have been asked to submit their dissent notes by 4:00 PM today (January 29).
The meeting, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, concluded in the national capital, marking a crucial step in the legislative process. Pal stated that both the draft report and the amended bill would be adopted at the meeting. He is expected to submit the final version of the bill to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant confirmed that all opposition members would submit dissent notes against the report. Several opposition MPs had met ahead of the JPC meeting to strategize their objections, expressing concerns over the bill’s provisions.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on August 8, 2024, seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, aiming to address challenges in the regulation and management of waqf properties.
The bill’s approval in the JPC sets the stage for further debate in Parliament, where opposition parties are expected to voice their strong objections.
