Activist questions Wakf panel’s legitimacy

 Nampally: Once the model code of conduct will be in place in view of the Lok Sabha elections, the State government would not be able to formalise the existing panel of Wakf Board. Activists have raised questions over continuation of several of the board members who are continuing without proper government proceedings or issuing Government Orders.

Speaking to The Hans India, Association of Save Waqf Properties general secretary Syed Ifteqar Hussaini said that besides resolving the issue of chairmanship, as the term of Md Saleem as MLC would end this month, there remains several technical and legal problems in continuation of at least three of the members. “The government should have come up with a GO, as three of its members including MLA Moazzam Khan, Z H Javid and MAK Muqeet are part of the panel despite no official communication in view of Assembly elections and Bar Council’s bifurcation.
 
While Moazzam Khan was re-elected, Javid is now represented by Bar Council, besides another advocate M A K Muqeet. If the Election Code comes into force government can do nothing and there may be legal complications in functioning of existing panel,” he explained.
Ifteqar also noted that once the Parliament is dissolved for Parliamentary Elections, even Asaduddin Owaisi, Hyderabad MP cannot continue as one of the Board members. “It is high-time that the State government looks into the matter of technicalities and legal hurdles posed by the panel to ensure smooth proceedings at Wakf are not disturbed,” he added.

Lackadaisical attitude 
It has been more than six months since the resolution was passed by CEO, Shahnawaz Qasim during a board meeting about the functioning of the Board. The activist has pointed out that ever since, not a single proceeding has been issued and no agenda has been discussed thereafter. “There are more than 300 agendas to be discussed. For smooth functioning of the Board, either the government must dissolve the Board or appoint special officer or at least issue Government Orders towards legitimising the existing panel, as once the Code is in force till June nothing can be done” he added.

Osman Bin Mohammed Al-Hajri, president of Deccan Wakf Properties Protection Society, said that lackadaisical attitude of the existing board was costing huge losses to the Wakf, as acres of land has already fallen into the hands of land sharks. “In Mamidipally near Balapur someone had already encroached upon 26 acres. There are scores of pending cases in Wakf Tribunal and unfortunately due to lack of proper representations the cases have resulted into ‘dismiss for default’. I have been seeking details of pending cases through RTI, but till now I was not able to receive answer,” he added.