Minority Department’s contention is that MA Gahaffar was unable to perform his duty in computerization of wakf records subscribed by the central government.
By TCN Staff Reporter,
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Wakf Board is up against the state government after its chief executive officer (CEO) Moahmmed Abdul Ghaffar was removed from his post by the Minorities’ Welfare Department.
MWD contention is that MA Ghaffar was unable to perform his duty in computerization of wakf records subscribed by the central government. Abdul Hameed executive officer of AP State Haj committee is now being deputed as new CEO of wakf board.
MA Ghaffar who was a deputy secretary in the wakf board, was on the post since 2010, after one of his predecessor was suspended for taking bribe, and other for alleged irregularities.
MWD was under pressure to appoint an IAS or deputy collector rank officer, but was unable to do so, as no Muslim officer with that high designation was available in the state cadre.
After a 56 crore scam in AP Minorities Finance Corporation, MWD secretary Dana Kishore had a tough time in dealing with critics. The new CEO plan is seem to be his step for image makeover of institutions under his department.
But AP wakf board was agitated by the move of MWD; they alleged it is infringement in the semi-autonomous authority of the wakf board. Wakf board immediately called a press conference and declared that it will not accept new CEO.
Its chairman Ghulam Afzal Biyabani said, “It is not binding on us that we accept the appointment of Abdul Hameed as the new CEO. According to section 23 of the Wakf Act of 1995, the government should appoint the new CEO after consulting the board and by notification of official gazette. The consultation has not happened.”
After it was clear that MWD is not going to back-track its decision even after the board protest, Wakf board tried to settle for win-win situation. In an urgent meeting called by its chairman the board moved a resolution to retain MA Ghaffar as its Additional CEO, and will accept Abdul Hameed as new CEO on temporary basis.
They will also write to the government to move a three candidate list to the board so they can choose a new CEO as per the rules.
The Wakf board chairm argues, “We have filed 3000 notices on wakf properties, the computerization program is under process, at this time MA Ghaffar is the most senior officer and cannot be replaced. We need 50 more additional vacancies; if Govt. wants to do better of Wakf board then they should heir new officers rather than dismissing senior officers.”
Meanwhile new CEO Abdul Hameed took charge of the office after the Friday prayer; he will continue to hold the additional charge of Haj Committee. After taking the charge he met Wakf board chairman and other members in an attempt to pacify them.