ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-E-MUSHAWARAT

[Umbrella body of the Indian Muslim Organizations]

D-250, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025

Tel.: 011-26946780 Fax: 011-26947346 Email: mushawarat@mushawarat.com

01.04.2011

Long & Unjustifiable Delay of Nearly One year in Reconstitution of the Central Wakf Council

A Drag on the Management of Wakfs in the Country

MMM’s Suggestions on Improving Wakf Administration

Statement

New Delhi, 1 April, 2011 Mr. Syed Shahabuddin, President of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, has issued the following statement;

                        The MMM of the AIMMM regrets to note that the Central Wakf Council has not been re-constituted for nearly one year after the expiry of its term despite the fact that the Wakf (Amendment) Bill strengthens the role and function of the Council and gives it the power to supervise the working of the State Wakf Boards.

                        The MMM supports the idea that the Central Wakf Council should elect its own Chairman so that the Minister of Wakf may effectively supervise its working.

                        The MMM is of the considered view that the number of Wakf Boards must be reduced by forming more Inter -State Wakf Boards, each to cover atleast one thousand Wakf estates among contiguous states & UT’s.

                        The MMM rejects the idea of forming a separate Class – I Service to administer wakfs but proposes that the State Governments concerned should take Muslim officers on deputation for the posts of Executive Officers etc, not only from the civil services but also from other All India, Central and State Class –I Services.

                        The MMM is also of the view that as a matter of principle, the State Governments must bear the entire administrative expenditure of the Wakf Boards, must finalise Wakf survey, expeditious make the Wakf Tribunals functional and active and restore to the Wakf Boards the Wakf properties, which are in the hands of the State Government or its official & semi-official bodies.

                        The MMM also suggests that all State Governments which have not yet done so should include public wakfs in the list of public premises for expeditious removal of encroachments as well as to exempt such properties from the application of land ceiling laws and rent legislation.

                        The MMM also feels that all major State Wakf Board should be continuously represented in the Central Wakf Council while rotation may be limited among minor Boards.

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01.04.2011