SM Fasiullah for BeyondHeadlines
Work for digitization of wakf properties’ records is progressing at snail speed, despite Prime Minister’s approval for the proposal, recommended by a Joint Parliamentary Committee in its 9th report on wakf submitted to Parliament in 2008.
Manav Vikas Seva Samti (MVSS) has been making efforts for implementation of the scheme of computerization of wakf properties.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the scheme in December 2009, but set no time limit for the completion of digitization work. The scheme continued in the 12th Five year plan as well, but again no time limit was fixed.
Taking a note of this loophole, MVSS has enquired from all the state wakf boards regarding progress of implementation of the scheme.
“We came to know through RTI that no wakf Board has completed their work of digitization of record despite the facts that funds have been received by all the wakf boards in the month of January 2010,” MVSS said in a press release.
“Therefore, we constrained to initiate legal action for completion of said work by filing PIL in the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 01.08.2013.
“After filing of said PIL, now the central government has started pursing the state wakf boards to know the progress of scheme moreover, question was also raised in Rajya Sabha regarding progress of said scheme.”
The next hearing of the PIL regarding digitization of record of wakf properties throughout India is scheduled on 20 September 2013 in the Supreme Court.
After the PIL, Minority Affairs Minister said to have taken more steps for the completion of computerization work of wakf boards, and also he is monitoring its progress.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee also recommended for development of Wakf properties and their proper administration.
Earlier the Sachar Committee made recommendations for changes in the system of management of Wakf institutions across India, and estimated that the wakf boards could generate up to Rs 12,000 crore per annum by developing wakf properties in the nation.
