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The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is set to be considered and passed in Parliament during the Budget Session on Wednesday, according to ET sources. The contentious bill will be presented for debate and approval after the Question Hour today, followed by an 8-hour discussion, which could be extended, as stated by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. The BJP has issued a whip, directing all party MPs to be present. Seven BJP MPs will participate in the debate, including: Jagdambika Pal, who chaired the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Bill; Ravi Shankar Prasad (former Union Minister); Anurag Thakur (former Union Minister); Nishikant Dubey, Tejasvi Surya, Abhijit Gangopadhyay and Kamaljeet SehrawatRead More: Waqf Bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha today, set for 8-hour discussionThe Bill will move to the Rajya Sabha on April 3, where five BJP MPs will take part in the discussion.The proposed amendment has faced strong criticism from the opposition, which has labelled it "unconstitutional" and accused the BJP-led central government of trying to "strip" Muslims of their rights.However, sources told ET that major NDA allies are expected to support the bill, as their suggestions have been incorporated into the final version. The strength of the alliance in Lok Sabha is 293, comfortably ahead of the majority mark in the 542-member House.Even in Rajya Sabha, NDA has surpassed the majority mark with 126 members on its side in the House of 236 members, including two independents and six nominated members, who invariably vote in support of the govt. A few abstentions are not ruled out, sources said.What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024?The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, also known as the 'Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Bill', seeks to address critical issues by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, and improved transparency.Here’s everything you need to know about the bill.Two important bills were introduced in the Indian Parliament on August 8, 2024 - the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024. These bills aim to make the management of Waqf properties more efficient and transparent, according to a government memo. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes changes to the existing Waqf Act, 1995 with the goal to address issues in managing Waqf properties and improve how they are handled. Here’s what the bill aims to do:Change the name of the Act to better reflect its purpose.Update definitions related to Waqf.Change the registration process for Waqf properties.Use more technology for managing Waqf records.FAQs about the Waqf Amendment Bill 20241. Who manages Waqf properties in India?The Waqf Act of 1995 governs Waqf properties in India. The key bodies involved in managing these properties are:Central Waqf Council (CWC) – Advises the government on Waqf policies.State Waqf Boards (SWBs) – Manage Waqf properties in each state.Waqf Tribunals – Handle legal disputes related to Waqf properties.These bodies work together to ensure proper management and resolve disputes.What are the key differences between the Waqf Bill 1995 and Waqf Amendment Bill 2024? Category Waqf Act, 1995 Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 Name of the Act The Waqf Act, 1995 Renamed Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995 Formation of Waqf Allowed by declaration, user, or endowment (Waqf-alal-aulad) Removes Waqf by user; only declaration or endowment allowed. Donors must be practicing Muslims for 5+ years. Cannot deny female inheritance. Government Property as Waqf No clear provision Government properties identified as Waqf cease to be Waqf. Disputes resolved by the Collector, who reports to the state. Power to Determine Waqf Waqf Board had authority Provision removed. Survey of Waqf Conducted by Survey Commissioners and Additional Commissioners Collectors empowered to conduct surveys as per state revenue laws. Central Waqf Council All members had to be Muslims, including two women Includes two non-Muslims; MPs, former judges, and eminent persons need not be Muslims. The following members must be Muslims: Representatives of Muslim organisations, Scholars in Islamic law, Chairpersons of Waqf Boards. Of the Muslim members, two must be women. State Waqf Boards Up to two elected Muslim MPs/MLAs/Bar Council members; at least two women State government nominates members, including two non-Muslims. One member each from Shia, Sunni, Backward-class Muslims, Bohra, and Agakhani. At least two Muslim women required. Tribunal Composition Led by a judge, included Additional District Magistrate & Muslim law expert Muslim law expert removed; includes District Court judge (chairman) and a joint secretary (state government). Appeal on Tribunal Orders High Court intervention only under special circumstances Appeals allowed to High Court within 90 days. Powers of Central Government State governments could audit Waqf accounts anytime Central Government empowered to make rules on Waqf registration, accounts, and audits (CAG/designated officer). Separate Waqf Boards for Sects Separate boards for Shia & Sunni (if Shia Waqf >15%) Also allows Bohra & Agakhani Waqf boards. 2. What are the key reforms in the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024?The Bill proposes several changes to Waqf management:Unified Waqf Management: Streamlines the system.Empowerment of Waqf bodies: Waqf Boards will have more representation, including non-Muslims and women.Technology use: A digital portal will automate tasks like registration, auditing, and litigation.Development of Waqf lands: Waqf Boards can use their lands for educational institutions, markets, and housing projects.3. How is the Waqf Amendment Bill different from the Waqf Act of 1995?The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 introduces several key changes, including:A new name for the law.Stricter rules for creating Waqf properties.Clear guidelines for government land and disputes.More non-Muslim and women representation in Waqf bodies.A clearer process for Waqf property surveys.4. What are the main recommendations from the Joint Committee?The Joint Committee’s recommendations include:Separating Waqf from Muslim trusts.Creating a centralised portal for Waqf property management.Ensuring women's rights in Waqf property inheritance.Strengthening Waqf Tribunals to ensure fair decision-making.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation on Tuesday entered into agreements with 15 additional public and private sector banks for direct transaction, paving way for payment of nearly Rs 12,000 crore in annual collections by the retirement fund body and enabling direct access to employers who maintain their accounts with these banks. This will raise the total number of empanelled banks doing direct transactions with EPFO to 32.EPFO has an active subscriber base of nearly 80 million and over 7.8 million pensioners availing social security benefits.“We are focused on providing ease of living for members and ease of doing business for employers,” labour and employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. “With the continued support of our banking partners, employers, and members, we are determined to take strong strides toward realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat, while further strengthening our social security framework,” he added.In FY 2024-25, EPFO collected over Rs 3.41 lakh crore in contributions remitted by employers through 1.25 crore electronic challan cum returns (ECRs) till 20th March 2025.The central board of trustees of EPFO, in its 236th Meeting held in November 2024, approved the empanelment of all agency banks listed with RBI and scheduled commercial banks with collection share more than or equal to 0.20% of total EPFO collection as additional banks authorised to collect EPFO contributions.