Cong-NCP spar over Wakf Board

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday targeted the state Minority Development Ministry headed by the Congress, accusing it of protecting N D Pathan, the Wakf Board Chief Executive Officer, who was arrested recently by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on charges of taking bribe. Addressing a press conference, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said that despite communication from the Centre regarding the removal of Pathan from his post, and inquiry into his dealings by the Central Bureau of Investigation in March last year as well as from the Central Vigilance Commission, the state government had not acted on the issue. Pathan was arrested by the ACB for taking Rs 30,000 as bribe. Malik alleged that Pathan was given an extension for two years after his retirement by violating rules.

He also wondered why the government sat over a judicial commission report into the functioning of the Wakf Board which was set up in 2007.

Criticising the Minority Development Minister Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan, Malik alleged there was an attempt to create an impression in Urdu papers as if action had been taken against Pathan. "The action is mandatory after a official is imprisoned for 24 hours," he said.

Reacting to the charges made by Malik, Naseem Khan said Pathan's services had been terminated with immediate effect. "The mandatory action is suspension while the government has terminated his services," he said.