Govt considering amendments to Wakf Bill on graveyard lands

Government is considering amendments proposed by Punjab Wakf Board to provisions related to graveyard lands in the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2010, which, if passed by Parliament, will replace the 1995 law.
Punjab Wakf Board has objected to the provisions of the Bill which allow sale of graveyard lands but prohibits leasing it out or exchanging them.
Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan said in Rajya Sabha today that his ministry is considering suggestions made by the state board.
He was replying to the questions of Akali Dal MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.
"It is against the interest of Muslim community in many ways. Rather, it should have been otherwise in the amendment. The sale of wakf graveyards should have been prohibited but leasing or its exchange should have been allowed," the Punjab board had said in a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Wakf (amendment) Bill, 2010 was passed by Lok Sabha on May 7, 2010 and then referred to a Select Committee of Rajya Sabha. The Committee submitted its report on December 16, 2011.
"The Bill is in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing. The amendments proposed by the Punjab Wakf Board are being examined," Khan said.