Modi runs 90% commission government, says Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday dubbed the NDA government a '90 per cent commission sarkar', retaliating to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's taunt that the ruling Congress government in the state was a '10 per cent commission sarkar'.
"It's Prime Minister Narendra Modi who runs a '90 per cent commission sarkar' in Delhi. He should prove the charge that our government takes 10 per cent commission," Siddaramaiah said here.
Sidddaramaiah told the legislators in the assembly that the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state was the most corrupt one from 2008 to 2013, with three chief ministers in five years.
Accusing the Prime Minister of indulging in shoot and scoot, the Chief Minister said it was Modi who revelled in 'hit and run' tactic during his visits to the state for addressing his party's (BJP) rally'
"The BJP has failed to prove the charges Modi and its leaders made against our government and me. Otherwise, they should withdraw them and apologise to the people of the state for insulting them," said Siddaramiah.
Locking horns with the Chief Minister, opposition BJP leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar alleged the ruling Congress government was number one in corruption.
"The people know what happened during the BJP's 5-year misrule, when the rich mining district Ballari was turned into a republic by its members," recalled Siddaramaiah.
Protesting against the Chief Minister's remarks, the BJP members staged a walkout amid noisy scenes.
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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.
