Zameer decides on district-level waqf ‘adalats’

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Minister for Housing, Minority Affairs and Waqf Zameer Ahmed Khan said that district-level waqf ‘adalats’ would be held across the state. Chairing a meeting of officials in the Waqf Board here on Wednesday, the minister said that a separate meeting relating to the Waqf Department would be held in districts during his visits there, adding that he would try to resolve the issues.

Details such as the total number of Waqf properties in each district, encroachments and court cases connected with encroachment would be collected and focus would be on the early settlement of cases and the protection of said properties.

“Officials must prepare a detailed report on the number of waqf properties that are given on rent or lease in every district and taluks, the expiration of the lease period, and the income through rent,” Zameer told Waqf Department officers.

The minister also mooted commercial activities on waqf properties undertaken by the Board instead as an alternative to developing it in joint partnerships.

“A plan of building a hospital and a school in each taluk must be formulated, and for which suitable land must be identified,” he said.

“Previously, 65 khathas were made after the removal of encroachments in prominent places in Bengaluru City limits. A report on the total dimension of those properties and the current position must be submitted at the earliest,” Zameer said.

Waqf Board Chairman Anwar Basha, CEO Pervez Khan, Minorities Welfare Department Secretary Manoj Jain and others were present during the meeting.