Centre aims to pass several important bills including the Waqf Amendment Bill and the Mental Healthcare Bill
Friday marks the final day of the Parliament’s Budget Session, with the Centre working to pass several crucial legislations, including the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, which is set to introduce reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Goa’s Legislative Assembly, reported timesofoman.com.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to introduce the bill, which aims to adjust Assembly seats in Goa based on the inclusion of certain communities in the Scheduled Tribes list, promoting their effective democratic participation in state governance.
Another key legislative measure expected is the Mental Healthcare (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, which seeks to amend the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, to improve mental health services.
Additional reports will also be presented in the Parliament, including the Committee on Estimates’ Sixth Report on Climate-Resilient Agriculture and the Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs’ Fifth Report on Regional Rapid Transit Systems.
The Parliament also passed significant bills early Friday morning, including the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, following a heated debate. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Waqf Amendment Bill, which aims to improve the management of Waqf properties and benefit the Muslim community across India.
The revised Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, will be renamed UMEED (Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development), incorporating suggestions from the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The Bill aims to rectify the shortcomings of the 1995 Waqf Act and promote technological advancements in managing waqf records.
The Budget Session of Parliament, which commenced in January, is concluding today, with discussions set to cover a wide range of legislative business.
