New Delhi, June 7 -- The centre on Friday launched the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) portal, a digital platform for the registration and monitoring of Waqf properties across India. The launch was led by Union minister for minority affairs Kiren Rijiju in the presence of minister of state for minority affairs George Kurian. Speaking at the launch event, Rijiju said, "The UMEED Portal is not just a technological innovation, it is a symbol of our dedication to transparency and good governance. By bringing all stakeholders onto a single digital platform, we are taking a firm step toward ensuring that Waqf properties are used for the benefit of the intended communities." The portal is intended to streamline the management of Waqf properties, ensure real-time data collection, and provide open access to verified information. According to officials, all Waqf properties across the country are required to be registered on the portal within six months from the date of launch. Registrations will be carried out by the respective State Waqf Boards. Properties not registered within this time period may be given an extension of up to two months in exceptional cases, such as technical delays. Properties that remain unregistered beyond the extended deadline will be classified as disputed and referred to the Waqf Tribunal. Minority affairs secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar told HT that the portal will mandate submission of official documents for registering a Waqf property, aiming to prevent the inclusion of "illegal or encroached" land. For properties lacking such documentation, he said, the mutawalli will be required to approach the waqf tribunal for verification. Notably, the portal also includes a field that asks whether the Waqf property is located on government land....