Devout allege role of contract mafia

Nampally: With the annual contract fees of some of the shrines of revered saints of the state now crossing over a crore in bidding process, the devout visiting the places are being charged exorbitantly for the ceremonies and rituals performed.

Activists demand that the Wakf Board should take control of Dargahs under its jurisdiction, as the devout traditionally visiting shrines are being fleeced by the 'contract mafia' that has turned these places of reverence into 'profit making sites.'

In March, devout visiting the popular Dargah on Nizamabad, Hazrat Syed Sadullah Hussaini, expressed utter shock over a Jalalpur native winning the contract for a whopping Rs 3.16 crore (In the previous year, it was Rs 2.22 crore). In another instance in July, a city-based contractor won the bid for Hazrath Jahangir Peeran Dargah Dargah for Rs 2.36 crore (In the previous year, it was Rs 1.36 crore).

Recently, the contract for Hazrath Jaanpak Shaheed dargah at Janpahad in Nereducherla mandal of Nalgonda district was given away for Rs 1.70 crore. It triggered resentment from activists who blamed the TS Wakf Board for encouraging this trend. They alleged that the board is bereft of its objective and is deviating from its very purpose (Mansha-e-Wakf) for which the property became the part of Wakf.

"These contractors have already started fleecing the devout, and the Wakf Board has been handing over the annual contracts to these people who rather than focusing on the development, have been fleecing devout without any accountability. Moreover, if the money earned by the Wakf property in bidding is not utilised for the development, then it is failing the very purpose of the property in becoming part of Wakf," said Shafeeq Ather, an activist.

While the Wakf Board describes this as an attempt to generate revenue, the activists feel that this would only put burden on devotees visiting local shrines. Some regular devout also expressed shock over the way tenders were being called and handed over to top bidders without pondering over its fallout and the burden being pushed over to the pilgrims.

"Wakf Board must monitor how pilgrims are being treated. Handing over contract and keeping quiet over misconduct would only harm the institutional integrity. Rather the Board must take the entire management under its control to provide better services, as it would ensure some development of the site and also provide employment opportunity to others," said Mujeeb Khan, an activist.