New Delhi, Dec 5 (NationPress) On Friday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju revealed that the Central government will refrain from imposing penalties or enforcing strict actions for the late registration of Waqf properties on the UMEED portal for a period of three months. This concession arrives despite the official deadline for registration concluding on December 5.

In a media briefing, the Minister remarked that this decision was influenced by numerous Members of Parliament and community representatives who requested extra time, citing difficulties faced by mutawallis in completing the registration process. Rijiju noted that while these demands were communicated to the Supreme Court, the court denied any extension beyond the six-month timeframe stipulated by law.

He encouraged mutawallis, the guardians of Waqf properties, to seek assistance from the Waqf Tribunal if they are unable to finalize the registration during the grace period. The Waqf (Amendment) Act grants the Tribunal the authority to extend the period by an additional six months beyond the mandatory timeframe.

Rijiju stated, “Following the amendment of the Waqf Law, the UMEED portal was introduced, and a six-month timeframe was established for the registration of all Waqf properties. Today marks the end of this period, yet millions of properties remain unregistered. Numerous MPs and community representatives approached me regarding the practical issues they encountered while attempting to register nearly nine lakh Waqf properties.”

He emphasized that despite these challenges, progress has been made.

“To date, over 1.5 lakh properties have been successfully registered on the UMEED portal.

Rijiju also pointed out significant discrepancies in progress across different states. Some states have performed admirably, while others have faced challenges.

“Karnataka has excelled, registering nearly 50,000 properties thus far,” he noted. He also mentioned that Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and a few other states have performed well, while several larger states have reported delays due to technical or administrative issues.

Rijiju assured stakeholders that there would be no immediate punitive actions, stating, “I want to reassure all mutawallis that for the next three months, no penalties will be imposed, and no strict measures will be enforced against those who complete the registration process on the UMEED portal. If anyone cannot register during this period, I strongly recommend they approach the Tribunal.”

He reiterated that the Supreme Court clearly stated that the government could not extend the deadline, though the Tribunal has the discretion to grant more time based on valid circumstances.

While expressing sympathy for those facing challenges, the Minister underscored the legal boundaries that must be adhered to.

“We always strive to provide maximum relief, but certain matters are strictly governed by law. Since Parliament has enacted the Waqf Amendment Act, the government cannot independently alter it.”

Rijiju remarked that in situations with incomplete documentation, disputes, or procedural challenges, the Tribunal would decide on the next steps.

“If any Waqf property has documentation issues or lacks records for legitimate reasons, the Tribunal will evaluate and determine the course of action. The government cannot intervene in such instances. However, if a property is genuinely Waqf-owned, proper records and validation will eventually be ensured,” he stated.

Emphasizing the goal of the registration requirement, the Minister stated that the law aims to promote transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of Waqf assets.

“The purpose of the new framework is to guarantee that Waqf properties are managed effectively and not misused. These assets should be utilized for welfare initiatives in the name of Allah, particularly for the benefit of economically disadvantaged Muslims, including women, children, orphans, and marginalized communities,” he said.

Earlier, on December 1, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking an extension for the registration period. The bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A.G. Masih indicated that Section 3B of the amended Waqf Act already offers a legal mechanism for requesting additional time from the Tribunal. Therefore, the court stated it could not provide a blanket extension.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, M.R. Shamshad, and advocate Nizam Pasha, representing the petitioners, contended that compliance within six months was unrealistic since the Amendment took effect on April 8, while the portal became operational only on June 6, and the relevant rules were formally notified as late as July 3.