By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
The 52nd meeting of the Central Wakf Council was convened in New Delhi. It was presided over by the Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Chairman of the Central Wakf Council, Mr. A.R. Antulay.
The meeting was convened for finding ways to improve the management and administration of the waqf properties through out the country. He said that the Central Wakf Council has to act as a guiding force to various State Wakf Boards to improve the management of wakf properties and also to get rid of unauthorized occupation of the properties in various parts of the country.
The members of the Council emphasized on the need to early setting up of National Wakf Development Corporation (NWDC) and also to take appropriate steps for exemption of wakf properties from the purview of the various legislations as recommended by the Sachar Committee.
The decision to set up National Wakf Development Corporation was taken last year. In the 50th meeting of the Council in May 2006, NWDC was authorized capital of Rs. 500 crore for the faster development of both urban and rural Wakf properties on commercial lines.
The Minister assured the members that necessary steps have been initiated to set up a National Wakf Development Corporation and the matter is at various stages of implementation. He hoped that establishment of National Wakf Development Corporation will be possible in near future. As far as the exemption of wakf properties from the purview of certain acts, it was informed to the members that the Council is already on the job and is collecting various details of the laws as applicable in those areas and also to examine how wakf properties can be exempted from the purview of these laws with a view to make better management of wakf properties. Some of the States have responded in this regard and some are yet to respond. Minister assured to the members that the matter will be expedited.
The member was also informed that the Central Wakf Council will send its views on the proposed amendments in the Wakf Act, 1995 for which a JPC has already been constituted. For this purpose a special Committee was set up to formulate such views. It was also decided that a Conference of Chief Ministers and Wakf Ministers of various states will be convened on measures for survey, protection and proper development and management of wakf properties. It was also decided that Central Wakf Council will keep an eye on illegal transfers of wakf properties in any part of the country and will bring these to the notice of concerned authorities.
The meeting was attended by former MP and president of Majlis-e-Mushawarat, Syed Shahabuddin, former Union Minister Salman Khurshid, Maulana Mohd.Fazlur Rahim Mujadadi and Justice (Retd.) Naseemuddin and other members of the Council.