Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) & Parliamentary Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday said here that the Central Government, National Waqf Development Corporation (NAWADCO) and Waqf Council have started a campaign on war footing to utilise the waqf properties for socio-economic-educational empowerment of Muslim community.
While addressing All India Waqf Conference at SCOPE Complex in New Delhi, Naqvi said that I am happy that several states have come forward in regard with better utilisation of waqf properties for progress of Muslims. Various states have been performing very well in this regard. He said that we are making efforts to ensure that all the waqf boards and their records across the country are computerised. Minority Affairs Ministry has been providing all possible help to the state waqf boards. The Computerisation of waqf boards and their properties will help in ensuring transparency in functioning of waqf boards. He said that Minority Affairs Ministry has been working on different strategies for welfare of Muslim community which include protection and development of waqf properties.
The Minister said that some of the waqf boards are under the clutches of ‘Waqf Mafias’ which has created obstacle in utilisation of these properties. We have started a campaign on war footing to free these waqf properties from the clutches of ‘waqf mafias’ across the country and we are receiving positive results. But serious irregularities in some waqf boards have also come to our notice and we are considering to give the matter to Central investigation agencies for an investigation.