Centre to set up board for complaints about waqf properties: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Gov has received serious complaints about waqf mafias and that a high-level enquiry is underway in this regard, said Naqvi

The Centre will soon set up an one-man 'board of adjudication' to deal with complaints regarding waqf properties and a campaign has been launched on "war-footing" to rid them from the clutches of encroachers, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday.

"A board of adjudication will soon be established at the Centre-level to deal with complaints relating to waqf properties.

"This committee will be headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice or retired High Court Chief Justice," a statement quoted him saying during 74th meeting Central Waqf Council here.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) said, three-member tribunals will be formed in the states.

The government has received "serious" complaints about "waqf mafias" and that a high-level enquiry is underway in this regard, Naqvi said.

"...The government will soon take action against those occupying waqf properties illegally to see the assets are used for welfare of Muslim community and their socio-economic-educational empowerment," he added.

There are 31 state waqf boards and more than 4,27,000 registered waqf properties across the country. Besides these, there are many non-registered waqf properties.

During his address, the Minister also directed all state waqf boards to register their respective properties online by the year-end to ensure transparency.

Among other, Naqvi said the Ministry, in cooperation with state governments, will construct schools, colleges, malls, hospitals, skill development centres and community centres for the minorities.