By TCN News,
Kochi: Adv TK Saidalikkutty, lawyer in the Kerala High Court and nominee of the Muslim League, has been elected as the new chairman of the state Waqf Board, in the meeting of the members of the Board held yesterday in Kochi.
Talking to TwoCircles.net, the newly-elected chairman said that settling the pending cases was the top priority for the Board. “We will try to settle the pending cases immediately and take care that problems do not reach to legal cases. The Board is now seen as a ‘place to settle cases’ and we would like to change it.”
He also talked about decentralization of power. “Now we have only the main office in Kochi and a regional office in Kozhikode. We would like to begin offices in the area level so that matters in the lower level can be settled there itself.”
“The Waqf Board has a lot of scope. It can do a lot socially, but has not been able to because of several reasons including the system we follow. We want to make an atmosphere where time, energy and money can be utlised creatively for developmental activities,” he added.
The tenure of the present Board will end in 2013 December. New chairman had to be elected as the former chairman KV Abdul Qader, MLA of Guruvayur, resigned the post to contest in the Assembly elections.
Board members M Ummer (MLA), MC Mayin Haji, Dr Hussain Madavoor, PP Abdul Rahman, N Ali Abdulla, Muhammedali Vaalancheri, Adv PN Sainudheen and Adv KA Hassan were present, along with Waqf Baord CEO BM Jamal. Ernakulam District Collector served as the Returning Officer for the election. Other Board members KE Ismail (MP) and KV Abdul Qader (MLA), of the LDF, did not attend the election.
Native of Valanchery, Adv Saidalikkutty is the son of late TKC Moideen Kutty and late VA Zainaba, sister of former London High Commissioner VA Seythu Muhammed. Jameela is his wife and Adv Moideen Kutty, Smitha and Thasleema are children.