Panipat, April 5 -- Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday welcomed the passage of the much-debated Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament, saying that proposed amendments would resolve previous grievances related to land encroachment and disputes.

He said that the unamended Waqf Act of 1995 was "one-sided" since it was "misused" by a few people. Khattar added that properties under the Waqf board could help poor Muslims.

"It was a one-sided act, which has been misused by a few people. If the properties (of Waqf) are better used, it would help the poor Muslims. Now, with the new bill, which will become an Act, all the previous grievances will be resolved," Khattar told ANI.

Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams on Saturday...