The Modi government is considering making a major amendment in the Waqf Act. Recently, the cabinet has approved the proposal of 40 amendments in the Waqf Act. Now it will be placed in the Parliament, where after the amendment bill is passed, the uncontrolled powers of the Waqf Board will be curbed. Media reports are claiming that after this, the Waqf will not be able to declare ownership over any property without verification. Let us know what is the Waqf Act and how much land does the Waqf Board have?
What is the Waqf Act and the Board?
The Waqf Act was made for the management of the properties and religious institutions of the Muslim community and the Waqf Board was formed in the year 1954. However, in 1995, the Congress government amended the Act and gave unlimited powers to the Waqf Board. This Act says that if the Waqf Board considers any land as its own, then it will not be its responsibility to prove it, but the responsibility of the owner of the land to tell how that land is his. Waqf Board has been formed in all the states to manage Waqf properties. This board registers, protects and manages Waqf properties. If Waqf Board claims your property as its own, then you cannot approach the court against it. The Waqf Board will decide this. Even if the board’s decision comes against you, you cannot go to court.
How much property does the Waqf Board have?
Waqf Board currently has more than 8,72,292 registered immovable properties on about 8 lakh acres of land across the country. At the same time, the number of movable properties is 16,713. These properties are controlled by various state Waqf Boards. The value of the properties of Waqf Board has been estimated at around Rs 1.2 lakh crore. Waqf Board has the most land in the country after the armed forces and Indian Railways. At the state level, the maximum Waqf property is in UP. Here the Sunni Board has a total of 2,10,239 properties and the Shia Board has 15,386 properties.
