The Sachar Evaluation Committee, which submitted its report to the Government last week, has said that the Wakf properties, which could be big money churners for the community, were lying waste and highly unutilised.
The Evaluation Committee, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru University Professor Amitabh Kundu, which submitted its final report to the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptullah, highlighted the need for development and use of Wakf Board properties for the benefit of the community.
The body said that it was important that these properties running into several thousand crores are developed, so as to protect them.
The committee also said that it was only in the interest of the community that the Wakf Boards of registered property be given all required assistance from the Government such that these properties are developed into profit-making bodies.
According to the "official" records with the Ministry of Minority Affairs, 1,053 properties have been illegally occupied by Government agencies and 18,388 properties have been encroached upon by private bodies or individuals across the country. These figures have seen an increase of 5-7 per cent in the last one year alone. Data also shows 75 per cent of these properties are now embroiled in legal battles.
Rough estimates suggest that there are over two lakh Wakf properties spread over four lakh acre land across the States in the country. Of these, no more than 150-160 properties are registered.
The committee also recommended that the Government set up watchdogs for the disbursement of funds released for the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP) in Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs).
critical areas of mutual interest, including energy, education, skill development, trade and investment, nuclear cooperation, to name a few,” Swaraj said. While saying improved relations with India is a priority for Canada, Baird felt that these were exciting times for both to engage and enhance partnership. Canada has expressed support for the Indian membership for the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.
On nuclear energy commercial discussions are on between CAMECO of Canada and the Department of Atomic Energy of India for sourcing Uranium for Indian nuclear reactors. India and Canada both have Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) aiming at 750 MW capacity and the two are looking at working together on this.
India and Canada are also keen to pursue research and development cooperation in nuclear power plants. There is also scope for skilling activities for Indians in the areas of hydrocarbon, welding process, water related activities like cleaning of rivers etc. There were also discussions of easing of visa norms for Indian IT professionals by Canada. Both sides felt that the trade relationship needed to be boosted as it did not reflect the full potential as India's trade figures of $5billion was way below the target of $15 billion. India suggested Canada to use the opportunity provided by the new Government to expand its investment activities.