11.4% of Waqf Claims Rejected on Central Portal; Over 6 Lakh Approved, Parliament Told
New Delhi: Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed Parliament that as of July 17, 11.4% of the 7.99 lakh waqf property claims uploaded on the central portal have been rejected during verification. A total of 91,253 properties were rejected, while 6,17,124 claims were validated and approved. Another 91,623 properties are pending uploading on the portal.
The data was presented in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. Rijiju stated that the UMEED Central Portal-2025, launched to bring transparency and efficiency in managing waqf properties, facilitates end-to-end lifecycle management of these assets. The portal allows online submission of claims, verification, and approval processes.
Waqf properties are Muslim religious endowments, which include land, buildings, and other assets dedicated for charitable or religious purposes. The central government has been digitizing records to address issues of encroachment and mismanagement. The portal aims to provide a single-window system for all stakeholders.
The rejection rate of 11.4% indicates that a significant number of claims did not meet the required documentation or verification criteria. The government has not disclosed the specific reasons for rejections, but officials suggest that incomplete paperwork or lack of proper title deeds are common issues.
Of the approved properties, many are now in the process of being geo-tagged and linked with other government databases to prevent illegal transfers. The pending 91,623 claims are expected to be processed in the coming months.
Rijiju also mentioned that the portal has helped in identifying previously unlisted waqf properties, with many new assets being added to the central registry. The government is working with state waqf boards to expedite the process.
The update comes amid ongoing debates about waqf property reforms. The government has proposed amendments to the Waqf Act to enhance accountability and curb misuse. The portal is seen as a key tool in these efforts.
