By Sarfaraz Mulla ‘Saif’, TwoCircles.net,
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MOMA), Government of India has envisaged d to undertake a landmark e-governance project to computerize wakf records. Wakf Management System of India (WAMSI) is a three-year project beginning from 2009. In its ambit, it has onus to computerize records of 29 State Wakf Boards (SWBs) as mentioned in Wakf Act, 1995 and Jammu & Kashmir Wakf Board.
A sum of Rs 25 crore has been earmarked to be spent in three different stages. Each State Wakf Board is entitled to receive Rs 27.10 lakh in the first year to establish a space for Centralized Computing Facility including Electrical, Networking & Hardware infrastructure. As per e-readiness guidelines, each SWB is also advised to hire an Assistant Developer and Data Entry Operator at a fixed monthly salary of Rs.15000 & Rs.10000 respectively.
Haibat Jang Masjid, Patna [TCN Photo: Mudassir Rizwan]
Objective of this computerization project is to ensure proper survey data is available and matches with the database maintained by other state level departments such as Land Records & Revenue departments.
It further aims to achieve efficiency and effectiveness by implementing specific management systems pertaining to managing of wakf properties. Leasing & Litigation Tracking Management System is also expected to be developed.
Guidelines issued by MOMA clearly emancipate roles to be played by various stakeholders involved in this project. The ministry will oversee entire operations & fund allocation. It will steer the project, facilitating resources and monitoring. State governments are advised to establish Sate Level Committee for effective coordination with field departments. The SWBs are responsible to incur expenditure as per Ministry’s guidelines, ensuring recruitment of support manpower, facilitation of hardware & installation and digitization of land records. The SWBs are also responsible to feed data online on encroachments, income from properties, Mutawalli returns and also court cases & litigations.
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is implementing the project WAMSI on behalf of MOMA on turnkey basis.
As per details available on the project website last updated on 3rd August 2010, 17 SWBs have received initial funds of Rs 27.10 Lakh each to establish Centralized Computing Facility.
For more details refer: http://www.wakf.gov.in/homepage/homepage.php