Govt clears change in Wakf Bill

The government today approved an amendment in the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2010, which seeks to ban the sale, mortgage and gift of wakf properties.
The Cabinet, in its meeting, cleared the amendment and sources said the Bill might be taken up in Parliament in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament.
Under the current provisions, mortgaging wakf properties was allowed and they could be sold in exceptional circumstances, which, official sources said, led to the misuse of law by unscrupulous wakf officials.
The Minority Affairs Ministry, which had proposed the amendment, believes the Bill, if passed by Parliament, would have far-reaching effects and would save wakf properties.