NEW DELHI: A day before it is expected to table the Waqf (Amendment) Bill that is expected to become another flashpoint in the Lok Sabha, the Centre appeared amenable to the Opposition’s demand for sending it to a Parliament standing committee for detailed scrutiny.
The government told Parliament’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Wednesday that it will take a call on sending the bill to a House panel after it is tabled in the Lower House. It said it would not press for a discussion on the bill and its passage after introduction.
The Centre will then seek the Rajya Sabha’s nod to withdraw the Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Bill, 2014. The bill was circulated among Lok Sabha members on Tuesday night ahead of its introduction, as reported by this paper.
Gourav Gogoi of the Congress and Sudip Bandyopadhyay of the Trinamool Congress were among the Opposition MPs who raised the demand for the bill to be sent to a Parliament panel. Sources said there is a strong possibility that the government will agree to the Opposition’s demand.
They said certain parties that have been supportive of the Centre have expressed their reservations over the proposed legislation. As the department-related standing committees of Lok Sabha are yet to be constituted, the House may form a separate panel to vet the bill. The bill proposes far-reaching changes, including ensuring that Muslim women and non-Muslims get representation in Waqf boards.
