Acquisition of Wakf properties for extension of roads – Minorities House Committee meeting

Hyderabad: Telangana Assembly’s House Committee of the Dept. of Minorities Welfare held a meeting yesterday under the chairmanship of Mr. Amer Shakeel, TRS MLA of Bodhan. Present in the meeting were Mr. Syed Omer Jaleel, IAS, Secretary, Dept. of Minorities Welfare, Dr. B. Janardhan Reddy, Commissioner of GHMC, Mr. Mohammed Assadullah, CEO of Wakf Board, Mr. Mohammed Saleem, Mr. Mohammed Farooq Husain, Mr. Sampath Kumar, Mr. Venay Kumar, Mr. Altaf Rizvi, Mr. Stephenson and others.

After the meeting, talking to newsmen, Mr. Amer Shakeel told that Municipal Authorities have differed with the compensation fixed by Wakf Board. They reported that in most cases, compensations have already been paid to Mutawallis and at some other places GHMC has given permission for constructing alternative buildings.

It may be mentioned that Wakf Board had prepared a report claiming Rs. 364 crore as compensation for the Wakf properties acquired by GHMC for extension of roads. The House Committee instructed that this matter should be resolved by holding a meeting of the officials of Wakf Board and GHMC. It was reported that compensation has not been fixed in respect of 23 lands. Mr. Shakeel further informed that after determining the compensation, GHMC will make payments in installments to Wakf Board. He informed that committee has decided to formulate rules and regulations for important Dargahs in the State after which, auction would be conducted for making arrangements. These Dargahs include Dargah Hazrat Jahangir Peeran and Dargah Hazrat Syed Saadullah Husaini.

Wakf Board was asked to clarify about the reappointment of retired employees and payment of incentives to Wakf employees for on collection of rents of Wakf properties. It was clarified that this was done due to the shortage of staff in Wakf Board. Wakf Board was instructed to submit a detailed report about the staff requirements so that a recommendation could be made to the Govt. for sanctioning news posts. Officials of Wakf Board further clarified that this has been the tradition of payment of incentives to the employees for collection of rents. This matter is pending with Chief Secretary. If he doesn’t agree, the amount paid to the employees would be recovered. Mr. Amer Shakeel instructed Secretary, Dept. of Minorities Welfare to submit a comprehensive report in this regard in the next meeting. The House Committee also reviewed the non-implementation of welfare scheme, such as Shaadi Mubarak, fee reimbursement, payment of scholarships etc due to paucity of funds. Mr. Amer Shakeel told that a committee has been constituted to formulate rules and regulations for Qazis. Wakf Board was directed to put a ban on erecting objectionable hoardings on Wakf Properties.

On the representation of Mr. Stephenson, the committee recommended for the constitution of a separate Christian Board so that Christian properties could be protected.

–Siasat News