Challenges in Waqf Property Registration

Summary Notes on UMEED Portal and Waqf Properties

Overview of UMEED Portal

• The UMEED portal is a centralized digital platform launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties.
• Launched approximately four months ago, only around 4,000 out of 8.72 lakh Waqf establishments have registered, covering more than 38 lakh acres of land.

Current Challenges

• Technical Issues: Reports suggest legal and technical difficulties on the portal, including:

  • Errors during the registration process (e.g., missing city or area names, admin login failures).
  • Lack of an ‘auto-save’ feature resulting in loss of data and repetition of the entry process.
  • Difficulty obtaining required old revenue records, with some being over a century old and in Persian/Arabic.
  • Registration issues due to unclear boundary definitions for properties co-owned.

• Submission Requirements: The portal demands historical data that is often inaccessible, such as surveys conducted 80 years ago.

• Demand for Extension: Waqf officials requested an extension of the registration deadline by two years during a Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting, but the Centre maintained a six-month deadline starting June 6.

Key Data and Statistics

• Total Waqf properties: 8.72 lakh across 30 States/UTs.
• Total land coverage: Over 38 lakh acres, approximately 5% of India’s total land area.
• Uttar Pradesh holds the highest number of properties (over 2.3 lakh) under Shia and Sunni Waqf boards.

Judicial and Administrative Insights

• Previous issues with the WAMSI portal included lack of verification mechanisms leading to incomplete records.
• The UMEED portal incorporates a statutory three-tier Maker-Checker-Approver process to enhance data accuracy.

Government Response and Plans

• The Minority Affairs Secretary, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and ease of data uploading.
• A dedicated technical team is ready to address issues within 24 hours, and workshops are being organized to familiarize stakeholders with the new portal and the amended Waqf Act.

Legal Framework

• Waqf holdings are subject to the Waqf Act, which outlines the management and administration of Waqf properties.
• Discussions highlight the need for a cautious approach in developing digital tools aligning with legal provisions specific to Waqf.

Economic Context

• The estimated Waqf landholdings (38-39 lakh acres) exceed the combined landholdings of key governmental bodies like the Defence Ministry and Indian Railways.

Concerns on Representation

• Some Waqf officials contest the Ministry's portrayal of Waqf properties with zero area, suggesting it may misrepresent the ownership status of Muslim landholdings in India.

Conclusion

• The implementation of the UMEED portal reflects ongoing efforts to modernize Waqf property management, though significant technical, legal, and operational challenges remain. Addressing these will be crucial for the effective registration of Waqf properties and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.