29-Jul-2019: National conference of Central Waqf Council (CWC)

Union Minority Affairs Minister Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi inaugurated a national conference of Central Waqf Council (CWC), organised at NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi. The Central Government has set a target to achieve 100 per cent digitisation of Waqf properties across the country in its first 100 days. There are more than 6 lakh registered Waqf properties across the country.

Shri Naqvi awarded 8 Mutawalis under “Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme” for better management of Waqf properties in their respective state Waqf boards. This is for the first time that Mutawalis have been encouraged and awarded for better utilisation of Waqf properties especially for socio-economic-educational empowerment of needy.

Mutawallis are “Custodian” of the Waqf properties and it’s their responsibility to ensure safety and better utilisation of Waqf properties.

A programme on war footing has been launched for 100 per cent Geo tagging and digitalisation of Waqf properties across the country to ensure these properties can be utilised for welfare of the society. Central Waqf Council is providing financial help and technical assistance to state Waqf boards for digitalisation, GI Mapping/Geo Tagging of Waqf properties so that state Waqf boards can complete digitalisation work within decided timeframe.

GIS/GPS mapping of the Waqf properties has been initiated with the help of IIT Roorkee and Aligarh Muslim University. The Central Waqf Council has provided video conferencing facilities to 20 state Waqf boards and it would be provided in the remaining state Waqf boards by the end of this year.

For the first time since Independence, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led Government is providing 100 per cent funding to develop schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, hospitals, multi-purpose community hall “Sadbhav Mandap”, “Hunar Hub”, common service centres, employment oriented skill development centres and other basic infrastructure on Waqf land under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK) for weaker sections and needy especially girls in those backward areas which had been deprived of these basic facilities.

While only 90 districts of the country had been identified for Minority communities’ development earlier; Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led Government has expanded development programmes for Minorities in 308 districts, 870 blocks, 331 towns and thousands of the villages of the country.

The report of a five-member committee, constituted to review Waqf properties lease rule, headed by Justice (Retd) Zakiullah Khan, has been submitted. The recommendations of the committee will ensure that Waqf rules are made easy and effective for better utilisation of Waqf properties and to free these properties, several of these entangled in disputes for several decades, from disputes. The Central Government, in consultation with the state governments, is taking necessary action on the recommendations of the committee.

28-Feb-2017: 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council held

The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that some vested interests are creating various obstacles in development of waqf properties and utilisation of these properties for welfare of the society. Some serious irregularities in some State Waqf Boards have also come to notice. A high-level inquiry has been going on into these matters and strict action will be taken against those people who are responsible.

The Minister said that proper utilisation of waqf properties is an important part of our efforts towards empowerment of Minorities. Several State Governments and Waqf Boards have been performing very well in this regard.

Central Government is making efforts to ensure that all the waqf boards and their records across the country are made digital. Minority Affairs Ministry has been providing all possible help to the state waqf boards. The Computerization of waqf boards and their properties will help in ensuring transparency.

Shri Naqvi said that a one-man “Board of Adjudication” at the Central level has been established under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court justice to deal with complaints and disputes regarding waqf properties. Three-member tribunals are being established in the states. About 24 states have established these tribunals so far. Other states should also do this soon. 

There are about 4,49,314 registered and non-registered waqf properties across the country. The number of these properties will be increased after computerization of waqf boards. It has also been come to our notice that some waqf boards are not registering the waqf properties properly during the computerisation process. Strict action is being taken in such complaints.  

Ministry of Minority Affairs under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been working towards socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities as a mission and commitment. Keeping this in mind, the Centre has increased the Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry in the Union Budget (General) 2017-18. This increased budget will be helpful in socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities. 

The Government’s efforts for empowerment of Minorities include “Progress Panchayat”, “Hunar Haat”, “Gurukul” type residential schools, “Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre”, “Begum Hazrat  Mahal Scholarship” for girls, establishing five world class educational institutes for Minorities and 500 quality residential schools and job-oriented skill development centres.