Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a “bold step” by introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Bill in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day. The proposed legislation aims to improve the administration of Waqf properties, introduce technology-driven management, address legal complexities, and enhance transparency.
Speaking to reporters in Jorhat, CM Sarma said, “The Waqf Bill was presented in Parliament today. This law was very necessary for India. PM Narendra Modi has taken a bold step after 75 years. I congratulate and express my thanks to him.”
He expressed confidence that the Bill would be passed by both Houses of Parliament.
While introducing the legislation, which was redrafted by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Rijiju clarified that the Bill is focused solely on property management and has no religious implications.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is set to be renamed as the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill. It proposes key changes, including:
- Strengthening Waqf tribunals for faster dispute resolution
- Implementing a structured selection process for board members
- Fixing tenure limits for better governance
- Including non-Muslim members in Waqf boards for inclusivity
- Introducing a centralized portal for automated property management
The Bill has sparked debate among political parties, with the government asserting that the amendments will enhance transparency and prevent misuse of Waqf properties.
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