Union Minority Affairs Minister Launches UMEED Central Portal for Transparent Waqf Property Management
New Delhi: In a significant move to revolutionize the administration of Waqf properties across India, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, today launched the UMEED Central Portal — a centralized digital platform aimed at ensuring real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf assets.
Describing the launch as a historic milestone, Shri Rijiju stated, “The UMEED Portal will add a new chapter in the history of Waqf property management and administration in India. It will not only bring transparency but will also help the common Muslims, particularly women and children.”
Developed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the portal was inaugurated in the presence of Shri George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs. The portal is part of the government’s broader commitment to protect minority rights and ensure equitable utilization of community-owned Waqf assets.
What is UMEED?
UMEED stands for Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development and is linked with the Waqf Act, 1995. The portal is designed to bring about a paradigm shift in Waqf property administration by introducing greater transparency, accountability, and public participation.
Key Features of the UMEED Central Portal:
Digital Inventory Creation with geo-tagging of all Waqf properties
Online Grievance Redressal System for faster and more transparent responses
Transparent Leasing and Usage Tracking of Waqf properties
Integration with GIS Mapping and other e-Governance tools
Public Access to verified records and audit reports
Empowering the Community
Speaking on the occasion, Shri George Kurian said, “This is a long-awaited reform that will curb misuse and bring Waqf administration closer to the people. The system ensures that every property is accounted for and used in accordance with the purpose it was endowed for.”
Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, highlighted that the portal is expected to become the backbone of digital Waqf governance. He expressed confidence that the system would ensure Waqf assets contribute meaningfully to education, healthcare, livelihood generation, and social welfare, particularly benefiting underprivileged sections of the Muslim community.
The launch of the UMEED Central Portal marks a significant step towards digitizing and democratizing Waqf property management, ensuring that the original intent of these endowments—uplifting the poor and marginalized—is faithfully upheld.
