With ruling and Opposition MPs, who’re part of the Joint Committee of Parliament (JCP) on the Waqf (Modification) Invoice, seeing a number of run-ins, walkouts and variations of opinions in conferences, members of each camps agree that the panel is “unlikely” to submit its report within the upcoming Winter Session.
Some members say proceedings have slowed down.
“I actually don’t suppose there’s any scope to submit the report throughout the Winter Session. Throughout casual talks, Opposition members mentioned that an extension have to be sought. The problem is an advanced one and we have to meet extra stakeholders, maintain extra consultations and undertake extra research excursions to know the Invoice and the implications of implementing it,” an Opposition MP instructed The Indian Categorical.
The Centre, which on August 8 tabled the Waqf (Modification) Invoice, referred it to the JCP following the Opposition’s objections. It tasked the panel to submit a report by the tip of the primary week of the Winter Session, which is scheduled to be held from November 25 to December 20.
Opposition MPs mentioned the report could be a “whole pushover” if JCP chairman and BJP MP Jagadambika Pal submits the report within the upcoming Session.
The JCP includes 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha and contains 13 Opposition members (9 Lok Sabha and 4 Rajya Sabha).
The panel by the way has been holding fewer sittings. Whereas it earlier held 4 weekly conferences, this week it’s scheduled to fulfill solely on Thursday, the place representatives of the Minority Affairs Ministry are scheduled to depose earlier than it. To this point, the JCP has held 25 conferences, a few of them happening late into the night.
Whereas a BJP MP, who is part of the panel, harassed that it will be “very troublesome” for the panel to submit its report, one other BJP member claimed it will be troublesome to carry conferences, consultations and research excursions as parliamentary proceedings would start. “It seems to be like an extension could be sought, nevertheless it all relies on Pal,” he instructed The Indian Categorical.
Regardless of repeated makes an attempt, Pal couldn’t be reached for remark. Sources mentioned the BJP won’t thoughts a delay as a protracted debate on the problem helps it preserve the waqf row alive; the occasion has additionally introduced it up in its Maharashtra, Jharkhand and bypoll campaigns in several states.
For the reason that panel was constituted, it has seen members of ruling and Opposition camps conflict a number of instances. On November 11, a research tour of the panel was partially postpone, after Opposition MPs mentioned they might boycott it.
On November 3, some Opposition MPs of the panel had threatened to “dissociate” from the proceedings whereas accusing Pal of “bulldozing proceedings” and “stonewalling” them.
The Invoice proposes to radically alter the Waqf Act, 1995, with a few of its proposed provisions, just like the District Collector being empowered to determine disputes as an alternative of the Waqf Tribunal, and inclusion of non-Muslims within the waqf board being met with fierce criticism from Opposition quarters.
