Contractor wins bid to run Jahangir Peeran Dargah for 2.36 cr

Nampally: A city-based contractor won the bid to run Dargah Hazrath Jahangir Peeran for Rs 2.36 crore, much to the dismay of the other bidders and the worshippers who described it as a push for commercialisation of the place of worship. Since this year's bid was 1 crore more than that of the previous year, the devout feel this would be a justification for further fleecing of those who visit the shrine.

Syed Fasiuddin, a resident of Chanchalguda who won the bid that crossed Rs 2 crore for the first time (for one year contract) of the renowned Dargah, located near Shadnagar, (close to NH-44) where people from Hyderabad and other places across the state and also neighbouring states visit. The previous year, the contract was given away by the TS Wakf Board for 1.36 crore. However, there have been allegations that those who win the contract each year pass on the burden to pilgrims by charging exorbitantly in rituals and selling of ritual material and also force them to fill the hundies.

According to sources, nearly Rs 1 crore was paid on Saturday and the remaining amount will be paid to the TS Wakf Board on Monday by the bidder who had won amongst others during the tender process that took place in TS Wakf Board office on Saturday. The other bidders, all of whom were locals (Shadnagar area), include Khaja (Rs 1.88 cr), Aziz (Rs 1.71 cr) and Mannan (Rs 1.65 cr). Those who lost the bid felt disappointed as the bidding was beyond their reach and the locals had no chance, as they could not afford to pay more than Rs 60 lakh.

The devotees who regularly visit describe this as nothing but a chance to fleece more from them, some of whom spent thousands of rupees in the previous year. While the Wakf Board describes this as an attempt to generate revenue, the activists feel that this would only put burden on devotees visiting local shrines, while the Board turns a blind eye to the encroachers who lay their hands on the thousands of acres of Wakf land. "Even if the purpose is to collect revenue, the welfare activities like widow pension remains an eye wash, as for several months they failed to receive," said Talha Kaseri, a social activist.

Earlier in March, Syed Sadullah Hussaini (Nizamabad district), Jalalpur native, won the bid for Dargah Hazrat for a whopping Rs 3.16 crore. Known for charging exorbitantly during rituals at Dargah, the devout alleged that handing over this dargah for such hefty sum would put further burden on the pilgrims.

While activists from Hyderabad also expressed shock over the way tenders were being called and handed over to top bidders without pondering over its fallout and burden being pushed over to the pilgrims. "Wakf Board should monitor the treatment of the pilgrims. Handing over contract and keeping quite over misconduct would only harm the institutional integrity," added Talha Kaseri.