By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata/Malda: “Waqf property is not only associated with Muslim, Waqf property is a national property and should be used to end the plight of the poor,” said Minister for Minority Affairs K Rehman Khan during a recent visit to Kolkata on November 21.
K Rahman Khan had come to Kolkata to attend a Chartered Account Convention at Science City Auditorium in city. But before the convention, he attended a meeting with the state Waqf Board Chairman Justice (Retr) Abdul Ghani and members of the Board at the office State Waqf Board.
Chairman of Board of West Bengal Waqf Board Justice (Retr) Abdul Ghani and State Waqf Board Member and Miinister of State of Central Government Abu Hashem Khan Chowdhury handed over a memorandum to the Union Minority Affairs Minister.
He said that the amendments of the national Wakf Act are very significant and now is the time to make maximum advantages of these amendments.
He spoke on how with the intervention of the Apex Court, several prime location properties could be either taken back or rent/lease amount could be rationalized.
He gave the examples of how two five stars hotels in Bangalore and Delhi were only paying 12 thousand rupees, but now the rent is substantially being increased.
He said that vast Waqf land or money incurred through rents could be utilized in the educational and other developments of the community. Central Waqf Board has set up a legal cell to recover the illegal occupied Waqf properties, he added.
He also said that the Government of India will make central development fund with an amount of 150 Crore.
There are sveral prime location proteties in Kolkata, illegally occupied, like the office of liquor company Shaw Wallace near Writers Building, Gulf Club at Tollygunge, Martin Burn at Ballygunj, etc.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs K Rahman Khan in a meeting with State Waqf Board Chairman and members at the West Bengal State head office of Waqf Board, Kolkata, on 21st November, 2013.
State Waqf board members also discussed the issue of increasing the capacities of girls’ hostel in the state.
Besides Union Minority Minister K Rahman Khan, and WB state Waqf Board Chairman Justice (Retd) Abdul Ghani, Members of the Board Union Minister Abu Hashem Khan Chowdhury, MP Haji Nurul Islam, MLA Dr. Md Nuruzzman, Ahmed Hassan Imran, MLA Abu Taher Khan and Afakuzzaman were also present in the meeting.
After the meeting a Memorandum, comprising of several proposals, was handed over to Union Minority Affair Minister on behalf of West Bengal Waqf Board.