Receiving suggestions on Shia-Sunni Waqf board merger: Mohsin Raza

State minister for Waqf and Haj, Mohsin Raza on Sunday said that the Uttar Pradesh Government is receiving suggestions from the public for merging state Shia Central Waqf Board and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, adding the proposals will be sent for a legal advice.

"These are suggestions given by the public which will be sent for a legal advice. Let us see legal opinion we get on it. The government will consider if any advice comes out stating positives or in terms of betterment. The government is always ready to take initiatives when it comes for the better of the society," he told ANI.

He further said, "Yes, there has been corruption (in Shia, Sunni Waqf boards) because of which superseding is being talked about now. The government is taking the matter of corruption in the Waqf Board very seriously. We believe in transparency."

Raza, however, cleared that the UP government has no role in the proposed merger of the two Waqf (endowment) boards.

The state minister also said that the government was only seeking legal advice on suggestions he had received.

Reportedly, Raza had earlier sent notices to both the waqf boards for suspension and has recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged corruption in the boards.