How can waqf properties best be utilised for community benefit?
Sachar Committee report highlighted following facts about waqf:
1.About 5 lakh registered Wakfs with 6 lakh acre land and Rs 6,000 crore book value.
2.If the Wakf properties were put to efficient and marketable use, they can generate a revenue of Rs 12,000 crore per annum.
3.But the gross income from all these properties is only 163 crores i.e. 2.7%.
4.The management of Wakf Boards is unsatisfactorily due to inadequate empowerment of the State Wakf Boards and Centreal Wakf Council.
5.Encroachment of Wakf properties by the State is a common practice. The attitude of the State Governments and their agencies has resulted in large scale abrogation of the cherished objectives of the Wakfs.
6.Failure on the part of the state and statutory bodies entrusted with safeguarding Wakf properties has caused disquiet in the Muslim community.
Best suggestions will be sent to waqf authorities in India.