TS Wakf Board meets, takes key decisions

Nampally: The members of the TS Wakf Board met for the first time after more than nine months and took some major decisions including handing over of some 40-properties on lease to Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS). A decision was also taken to terminate services of Advocate M A Mujeeb, standing counsel and to launch inquiry against him over accusations.

The meeting which was chaired by Board's chairman, Md Saleem, included members, Syed Akbar Nizamuddin, Malik Motasim Khan, Dr Syed Nisar Hussain Hyder Agha, Z A Jaweed, M A Waheed, Sofia Begum and Mirza Anwar Baig, who had elaborated discussion on different items on agenda.

Later speaking to media persons, Saleem assured that the Board would be functioning normally and meetings of different committees including development and administrative and other committees would be taking forward the list of items discussed during the meeting.

He also said that a decision was taken for forming 15 new committees of various mosques. "We shall be having special focus on increasing employees, including deputation of some police personnel for helping Wakf staff complete their tasks. At least two higher officials (MRO) will also be deputed to help Wakf in coordinating with Revenue officials. A task force comprising of Wakf and police personnel will visit places to conduct their assignments smoothly," he added.

To put an end to continued encroachments of Wakf lands, the chairman emphasised the need for better coordination between Wakf and Revenue departments. "Wakf lands are clearly mentioned in Gazette notifications, but most of them are needed to be synchronised with the records of the revenue department.

While Gazette says particular land belongs to Wakf, but because of the failure of this acknowledgement in Pahani and Patta, the land grabbers are able to update records with their own names. Hence there is a need for updating records in Revenue department for stopping encroachment," he said.

Responding to questions, Saleem refuted the argument that Wakf Board was functioning under political pressure. For drafting counter cases, he felt there was a need for officials who had worked for legal issues.

He said that a proposal to appointment of about 50 personnel which will include a task force comprising policemen and Board's staff was already forwarded to government. "If there is a procedural delay, the Board will appoint on contract, some retired government employees," he explained.