Wakf Shia member refutes charges

Darulshifa: The lone Shia member of TS Wakf Board refuted the allegation made by The Shia Youth Conference over delay in funding projects and non-representation of issues of the community, which were published in this newspaper.

Reacting to the publication of report ‘Shia member of Wakf accused of not representing his community’ on March 4, in The Hans India, the Shia member Dr Syed Nisar Hussain Hyder Agha countered the allegations against the ‘The Shia Youth Conference’ president, Syed Hamed Hussain Jaffery terming them as ‘false and baseless’.

In reply to the allegations, the member said that the Wakf Board on his representation has sanctioned grant-in-aid in the month of Muharram for 2018-19. He said that crores of rupees were sanctioned for the Shia community including Rs 25 crore through GHMC for 2nd Phase of Moula Ali ramp and renovation work (Tender delayed due to Election Code), Rs 50 lakh to ASI for Renovation of Aza-Khana-e-Zehra and Niaz Khana (Tender has been called by ASI), Rs 4.5 lakh to ASI for repair and renovation of Ashoorkhana-e-Naal-e-Mubarak (Work has been completed), Rs 20 lakh to GHMC for 21 Ashoorkhanas in Hyderabad (amount disbursed), Rs 5,000 each to RDO in each district for 31 Ashoorkhana (amount disbursed) and Rs 2 lakh for water camps (Sabeel) during Muharram.

Dr Agha also said that the issue of renovation and major repairs of Bargha-e-Hazrat-Abbas, Devan Devidi and Ashoorkhana Imam Bada in Rein bazar were halted as the matter was sub judice before Wakf Tribunal and High Court. “This was the first time in history of Wakf Board that renovation grant-in-aid was released to Ashoorkhanas in 31 Districts of State,” he explained.

“The community leaders and other religious organizations agree that there is a delay in work by Wakf Board, but it is due to non-availability of a full time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Election Code in State. Community organisations such as Shia Companions, Shia conference and others are happy and satisfied with the role of Moulana in Wakf Board,” he added.