The Waqf Properties Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants Bill, 2014 was withdrawn from the Rajya Sabha Thursday by the government. The proposed legislation had sought to provide for a mechanism for the eviction of unauthorised occupants from waqf properties.
Introduced in the Rajya Sabha on February 18, 2014 by then Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan, it was referred to the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on March 5, 2014.
Waqf properties are the assets dedicated for religious or charitable purpose.
The Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought leave of the House to withdraw the bill and there was an approval via voice vote in Rajya Sabha.
However, CPI(M) MP John Brittas and IUML MP Abdul Wahab registered their dissent to the withdrawal. Brittas termed the move as condemnable and the bill was for the solution to the problem of unauthorized occupants on waqf properties. The delay by the government in obtaining confirmation from the House was something done with malafide intentions, he claimed, and added that the bill was being withdrawn for bringing another one that will undermine the waqf properties.
He further accused the government of attempting to incite societal division and politicize the issue. Brittas outright condemned the government's intention to probably amend the Waqf Act and include non-Muslims in its administration, stating that it would threaten the country's social cohesion.
He also reiterated his lack of trust in the government's intentions, saying that the withdrawal of the bill could be part of some other dubious game, particularly when a new bill is being circulated. He asked the government to change its stand and categorically stated that no undue powers over waqf properties should be given to IAS officers.
The other Parliamentary news is: The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, introduced The Boilers Bill, 2024. This proposed Bill aims at regulating safety and uniformity of boilers by avoiding explosions in the country, besides providing for the same uniformity in registration and inspection.
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