Parliamentary panel pulls up law ministry over delay in appointing law panel members
New Delhi (PTI): A parliamentary standing committee has pulled up the law ministry over delay in appointing members of the Law Commission even after over six months of its constitution.
In its report on the demands for grants for the department of legal affairs tabled in Parliament on Thursday, the Standing Committee on Law and Personnel said despite the approval of the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission in September 2024, the appointment of chairman has not been made till date.
"This act hinders the effective functioning of the Commission, which plays a crucial role in legal reforms and policy recommendation. The Committee, therefore, urges the department may take necessary steps to appoint the chairman and members of the Law Commission at the earliest," the report said.
It said in future, a clear timeline is desired for appointment of chairman and members of Law Commission of India.
The term of the previous Law Commission ended on August 31, 2024.
The present law panel is mandated to further study and submit a report on having a common civil code in the country.
In the past too, appointments of law panel chair and members have been delayed.
Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body and is constituted by a notification of the law ministry with a definite terms of reference to carry out research in the field of law and the Commission makes recommendations to the Government in the form of reports as per its terms of reference.
The Law Commission has taken up various subjects on references made by Department of Legal Affairs, Supreme Court and the High Courts.
It is usually constituted for a period of three years.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
