Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal

Bhopal, Jun 26: Madhya Pradesh has launched a major initiative to digitise Waqf property records across the state, aligning with the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The effort, led by the Minority Welfare Department in coordination with the Revenue Department, aims to improve oversight, transparency, and governance of Waqf assets.

A senior Revenue Department official confirmed to IANS that the digitisation and verification process is being rolled out in phases. The first phase involved document digitisation and validation by the Waqf Board, while the second phase is focused on district-level verification by revenue authorities.

So far, 15,003 Waqf properties across 11 districts have been identified and reviewed, with 2,425 verified by the Revenue Department.

Districts such as Ujjain, Vidisha, Bhopal, and Indore are among those where the process is nearly complete. Ujjain tops the list with 1,054 Waqf properties, followed by Vidisha (929), Bhopal (816), and others.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on April 8, 2025, following the President’s assent, mandates such digitisation drives. The Act also restructures the composition of Waqf Boards, increases government oversight, and seeks to boost accountability and coordination with local authorities.

Officials say Madhya Pradesh is emerging as a model state in this regard, setting the benchmark for efficient Waqf property management through the use of technology.