TS Govt will protect Wakf properties, assures Dy CM

Hyderabad, Dec 17 (INN): Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali on Wednesday said that the State Government would take all measures for the protection and development of Wakf properties in Telangana State.

Speaking to media persons after conducting a surprise of State Wakf Board office at Haj House in Nampally here, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that of nearly 77,000 acres of Wakf land in Telangana, about 57,000 acres were under encroachment.

Further, nearly 4,700 cases were pending pertaining to remaining 20,000 acres of land. He said effective measures would be taken to free the Wakf lands from encroachments.

Mahmood Ali informed that the State Government was enacting a new law to prevent encroachments on all government, Wakf and endowment lands. He said two meetings were already held in connection with the proposed law. Stern action is being proposed against the land grabbers and they could be booked under PD Act, if needed.

The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that an enforcement team would be constituted in the Wakf Board which would be headed by a full-time DCP-rank official. He said that the proposal was already discussed with Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy and the appointment of official would be made after getting approval from Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

Mahmood Ali said that the Wakf Board has identified seven prime properties in the city for construction of commercial complexes. The foundation stone for those commercial complexes will be laid soon.

He said that the District Wakf Committees would be made more active by inducting experts and honest personalities. Presently, the Wakf affairs in districts are being managed by Inspector Auditors. The government will not entertain any political influence and protection of Wakf properties will be given the top priority, he said.

The constitution of new Wakf Board, Urdu Academy and other institutions related with the minorities' welfare will be done immediately after the completion of process of bifurcation of employees, which is in the last stages, he said.

Speaking about Shaadi Mubarak scheme, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the State Government has simplified the application procedure and now only residential and income certificates are required to be submitted.

He said all MROs are being issued directions to ensure that people do not face any difficulties in procuring those certificates. He said he would be reviewing the status of implementation of Shaadi Mubarak scheme in the next two-three days. Steps are also being taken to prevent misuse of this scheme, he said.

Wakf Board Special Officer M Jalaluddin Akbar, State Haj Committee Special Officer Prof S.A.Shukoor and other senior officials were also present during the Deputy Chief Minister's surprise visit which lasted for nearly two hours.