With Opposition members saying that they will meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to seek an extension to submit a report of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the panel’s Chairman Jagdambika Pal said Thursday that the “draft report is ready” and that “he hopes that members of the committee can reach a consensus” on the Bill.
Speaking to mediapersons after a meeting of the committee on Thursday, Pal said: “We had called the Ministry of Minority Affairs for today’s (Thursday) meeting. The meeting lasted six hours. They gave a detailed explanation on the 44 amendments to the Waqf Bill. Before this, the Minority Affairs Ministry had deposed before the committee on 22nd (August) for 6.15 hours, and for 6.15 hours on October 15. On October 21, they deposed for seven hours. On October 29, they deposed for 3.15 hours. This way, in these sittings, our committee members have had the opportunity to ask questions as per each clause… The Ministry has answered them.”
“Over five days for 29 hours, they got the chance to ask questions. After detailed deliberations, a good report will be prepared. I hope that all members of the committee will together hold discussions on clauses and we can reach an agreement. After the agreement, we hope to submit a good report in Parliament,” he said, adding that there will be more meetings. The deadline to submit the report is November 29.
Responding to the Opposition members seeking an extension, Pal said: “The Opposition was saying that here also. They have the right to meet the Speaker. But I feel the JPC worked, we are prepared. This Bill was referred to us by the Speaker and the Speaker’s decision will be followed.”
He added that 25 meetings have been held with various stakeholders like former judges, Islamic scholars, vice-chancellors, AIMPLB, Zakaat Foundation, and Bharat First since its formation in August. The first meeting was held on August 22.
An Opposition member said the submission of the report on November 29 “will be against principles of democracy”. “If the committee Chairman decides to submit the report, it will go against the idea of the committee. Recently, a study tour was cancelled. More deliberations and conversation need to be held before we can submit the report. Also, if the report is submitted on Friday, when will members of the PAC get a chance to read it and raise issues,” the member said.
