Centre’s projects on state Waqf board properties in limbo
JAIPUR: A written requisition was submitted before the CEO... However, even after passing such a long time, the CEO is not calling the meeting of the board. As a result, the development of the Waqf properties is standing still..
The central government’s proposed projects to utilise the undisputed Waqf land in Rajasthan are in limbo, as no meeting of the board has been called for almost a year.
In 2017, National Waqf Development Corporation Limited (NAWADCO), which undertakes development of Waqf properties for the community welfare, was supposed to develop four properties in Rajasthan on public-private-partnership (PPP) basis.
The land for the projects, which were expected to generate big revenues, was identified and the survey work was completed in the mid of last year.
Among the 75 Waqf properties identified by the corporation across the country, two properties each were identified in Kota and Jaipur districts.
But there is no headway in the Rajasthan projects since then. “No (Waqf) board meeting has taken place in past 10 months, due to which the decision on the projects cannot be taken. The last special meeting of the board was held on November 2, 2017, and after that, no meeting is held or called by the chief executive officer (CEO). Although, as per the provision of the regulation 4 of the Rajasthan Muslim Waqf Regulation 1964, the board shall meet once in two months,” said Naseer Ali Naqvi, member and former chairman of the Rajasthan Waqf Board.
“A written requisition was submitted before the CEO duly signed by the three members on April 9 this year. However, even after passing such a long time, the CEO is not calling the meeting of the board. As a result, the ,
development of the Waqf properties is standing still and no development schemes are being prepared and implemented by the board,” Naqvi added.
According to a proposal of NAWADCO, the selected Waqf properties would be given to developers for 30 years on lease and after five years, the income would be distributed between NAWADCO, developers and the Waqf Board.
It was decided that five per cent of the profit would be given to NAWADCO and after giving developers their due profit, the rest income would be given to the Waqf Board.
Among the four proposed projects in Rajasthan are construction of commercial shops at Captain Faiz Mohammed graveyard land in 800 square metre area at Agra Road, Jaipur; construction of residential buildings in five bigha land of Dargah Amani Shah at Sikar Road, Jaipur; construction of housing complex in 18,480 square metre land of Kalandri Masjid and construction of commercial complex in 6,900 square metre land of a graveyard in Kota.