The Cabinet on Thursday approved the enactment of a stand-alone legislation named ‘Wakf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Bill, 2013’ moved by Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan.
The Sachar Committee in its report in November 2006 had recommended the treatment of ‘Wakf’ as public premises since these properties were donated for the benefit of public and not for individuals. The committee had also said that encroachment on these properties should be treated as encroachment on Government land.
In view of this, the Ministry of Minority Affairs had moved a proposal to the Cabinet to have a stand-alone legislation to protect 'Waqf' properties from encroachments and alienation.
“The new legislation when passed by the Parliament will be highly beneficial for the entire Muslim community as it will provide a perfect mechanism for protection of the ‘Wakf’ properties from encroachment,” said Khan.
“We are hopeful that ‘Wakf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Bill’ will now be introduced in the ensuing session of the Parliament and will be considered for passing by the Parliament,” he said.
