NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of the Union Cabinet’s approval to nearly 40 amendments to the 1995 Waqf Act, the government on Monday said poorer Muslims had long demanded changes to the law even as the Samajwadi Party-led opposition said they would oppose the amendments if pushed in Parliament.
“For a long time demands have come from poor and common Muslims, including women, to make Waqf properties more transparent and efficient,” Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
The Bill to amend the Wakf Act seeks to mandate 30 Waqf boards in India to register their properties with district collectors and ensure actual valuation.
Government sources say revenues from Waqf properties could be understated and are currently estimated at Rs 200 crore a year — a mismatch from the quantum of properties and their market values.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow said his party would oppose the amendments and accused the BJP of working solely to divide Hindus and Muslims.
IUML’s ET Mohammed Basheer called the move ill-intentioned.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said the government wanted to rob Waqf boards of all autonomy.
The amendments also mandate inclusion of women in Waqf boards with the government saying these are essential for transparency and inclusion of the lesser represented Muslims.