Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 14: Seeking dissolution of Wakaf Council and constitution of a separate Wakaf Board for Jammu division, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former member J&K State Advisory Board for Gujjars and Bakerwals, Abdul Hamid Choudhary today demanded inquiry into the misappropriation of Wakaf properties during past over a decade in the State.
In a press statement issued here today, Ch Hamid 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. He said several illegal appointments have been made in the Council during past several years. He pointed out that land of Wakaf at Kunjwani and Shaheedi Chowk was leased out to outsiders and moreover, the land earmarked for construction of mosque at RS Pura has been leased out for commercial purposes and several other alleged irregularities have been committed, causing huge losses to the Wakaf properties.
The PDP leader said that keeping in view these unhealthy developments, new Wakaf Board must be constituted and new members with integrity be appointed for maintaining transparency and accountability in Wakaf properties. This way, the Board will directly be headed by Chief Minister and a Vice Chairman be 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.
He also alleged that Wakaf Council staff and vehicles are also being misused by those sitting at the helm of affairs that calls for its dissolution and constitution of a Separate Wakaf Board for Jammu division. This step, he said, will pave a way for smooth functioning of Wakaf Board.
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