Modi does nothing to instill confidence among victims: DCM Parameshwar
Kodagu disaster
Bengaluru, August 24: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi who conducted aerial survey of Kerala’s devastation could have diverted his flight towards Kodagu district. Forget visiting the state. Even he did nothing to console and instill confidence among Kodagu victims”, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar said.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, the DCM said that Prime Minister Modi had conducted aerial survey in Kerala. But he did not speak a word about the flood and natural disaster in Kodagu and other parts of the state. His step-mother attitude was not good for a federal system, he said.
A report on rain, flood, landslides and losses would be prepared and submitted to the centre shortly and sought financial assistance. The state government was committed to rebuild Kodagu district. Steps would be taken to construct roads, bridges and rehabilitation for the distressed people, he said.
Not misused
Relief materials were not misused. Due to shortage of space in Kodagu, the relief materials were stored in Mysuru and they would be shifted to Kodagu shortly, he said.
All police stations in the state have sufficient arms. In spite of it, the department has considered the CAG report seriously and steps would be taken on priority. He has directed the authorities to submit a report soon and he would personally verify it and solve the problem, he said.
“The Chief Minister would be appealed to issue a circular to avoid felicitation to the CM and the ministers and contribute that amount to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund”.
-Dr G Parameshwar, DCM
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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.
