Delhi: BJP Leader Advocates for Bill to Regulate Waqf Board Powers

  • Aug. 5, 2024, 3:44 p.m.

In response to media reports suggesting that the central government is preparing a bill to regulate the powers of the Waqf Board over its assets, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla has voiced strong support for the proposed legislation. The bill aims to address concerns over the management and transparency of Waqf Board properties, which hold significant land and asset value across India.

Addressing the media, Poonawalla emphasized the longstanding demand from the Muslim community for increased transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf Board assets. He highlighted the disparity between the immense value of Waqf properties and the relatively low income they generate, noting that the board controls assets worth lakhs of crores but reports an income of less than Rs. 200 crores annually.

Poonawalla accused the current system of allowing a small group of influential families to exploit Waqf properties, likening the situation to a modern-day zamindari system. He claimed that this elite group has used the Waqf Board as a means to encroach upon valuable land, undermining the board's intended purpose and depriving the broader community of its benefits.

The proposed bill, if enacted, would seek to bring greater oversight and regulation to the Waqf Board's operations. It aims to address the concerns raised by Poonawalla and others who argue that the current system lacks transparency and accountability. The central government's move is expected to spark significant debate and discussion among stakeholders, including religious and community leaders, as well as policymakers.

As the legislative process unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how these proposed changes will impact the management of Waqf assets and the broader community's interests.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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