The Rajya Sabha has passed a Constitution Amendment Bill which paves the way for setting up of Judicial Appointment Commission amid walkout by the BJP. The Commission will replace the Collegium system for appointment of judges in the higher judiciary.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha today passed the Wakf Amendment Bill, 2010. It incorporates the amendments made by the Rajya Sabha. Replying to a discussion on the legislation, Minority Affairs Minister K.Rehman Khan announced that a National Development Corporation with a corpus of 500 crore rupees will be set up to improve the Wakf properties for commercial purpose.

He made it clear that the Wakf land will not be given to private builders. Any one in occupation of Wakf properties without lease agreement will be treated as trespasser. This will be non-bailable offence. In addition, the Wakf Board will also be more accountable, the Minister added.