Today’s Parliament session is expected to be very stormy. As the parliament tension rises. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present a new Income Tax Bill in the Lok Sabha today. The bill has already been approved by the Union Cabinet. Meanwhile, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf Amendment Bill will also be presented in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. According to the Lok Sabha’s agenda, committee chairman Jagdambika Pal will submit the report and related evidence in the House. The same report will also be presented at the front of the Rajya Sabha. The session is likely to witness debates and discussions on these above problems.
The first phase of the Budget Session concludes today. This marks the last working day of the current phase of Parliament’s Budget Session. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf Amendment Bill was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. The 655-page report was approved by a majority, incorporating suggestions from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members. However, opposition members opposed it, calling it unconstitutional and alleging that it would weaken Waqf Boards.
Proposal for Amendments in 44 Provisions
BJP members emphasized that the bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in August last year, aims to modernize, bring transparency, and ensure accountability in managing Waqf properties. The committee accepted all amendments proposed by BJP members while rejecting those suggested by opposition members. The opposition had proposed changes in all 44 provisions of the Waqf Amendment Bill, arguing that the committee’s recommendations would retain the bill’s “oppressive” nature. They also claimed that the law would interfere in Muslim religious matters. With the submission of the JPC report, a heated debate is expected in Parliament, as the ruling party and the opposition hold opposing views on the bill’s implications and objectives.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on August 8, 2024. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju before being referred to the committee for further review. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to address issues and challenges related to the regulation and management of Waqf properties. The proposed amendments seek to bring more clarity, transparency, and efficiency in handling Waqf assets. The JPC was tasked with examining the bill in detail and providing recommendations before its further discussion in Parliament
