STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Seeking dissolution of Wakaf Council and constitution of a separate Wakaf Board for Jammu Division, PDP leader Abdul Hamid Choudhary said that allegations are being leveled against the Council for misappropriation of Wakaf Properties during past over a decade that needs to be thoroughly probed. He said that a number of Wakaf properties have been leased out to beneficiaries without following proper procedures thereby causing huge financial losses to the Council.
In his statement issued here on Thursday, Choudhary Hamid said several illegal appointments have been made in the Council during past over a decade, land of Wakaf at Kunjwani and Shaheedi Chowk leased out to outsiders, land earmarked for construction of Mosque at RS Pura leased out for commercial purposes and several other alleged irregularities affected thereby causing valuable losses to the Wakaf properties. He said that keeping in view these unhealthy developments, new Wakaf Board must be constituted and new members with integrity appointed for maintaining transparency and accountability in Wakaf properties. This way, the Board will directly be headed by Chief Minister and a Vice Chairman appointed for Jammu division as well. This can happen the way both Jammu as well as Srinagar Development Authorities are having two separate Vice Chairpersons. Since present Wakaf Council is being headed by CEO/Special Officer the exact picture of Council functioning is not put before the Chief Minister which the Board members can do.
Constitution of a separate Wakaf Board for Jammu division will ensure transparency and accountability.
