Narendra Modi govt to award fair custodians of Waqf properties

In yet another move to strike at the backbone of 'Waqf mafia' and to incentivise transparency, the Modi government would be awarding those 'Mutawallis' who will manage well Waqf properties to ensure better social utilisation, especially for educational empowerment of girls.

Addressing the first national Mutawalli conference of Central Waqf Council at New Delhi, Union Minority Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the award programme would be an annual affair.

Naqvi said "Waqf Mutawallis" were the "custodian" of Waqf properties across the country and they should ensure that these properties were being utilised for the betterment of the Muslim community.

"Protection and development of waqf properties across the country is on priority of the Central Government so that these properties are utilised for socio-economic-educational empowerment of the Muslim community. Waqf properties across the country should be utilised for educational, employment oriented skill development and health related activities," Naqvi said.

Naqvi said that Central Waqf Council would also help those institutes which are being established and those who are running on waqf properties and are engaged in educational activities especially educational empowerment of girls. Naqvi added that Conference of Waqf Mutawallis were being organised across the country regarding preservation and development of waqf properties under Waqf Act.

"Waqf Mutawallis" from Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand attended this first Mutawalli conference. Such conferences would be organised in other parts of the country too in the coming days.

"Minority Affairs Ministry, in cooperation with the state governments, will construct schools, colleges, malls, hospitals, skill development centres etc and revenue generated will be utilized for educational and other developmental activities for the Muslim community. Multi-purpose community centres "Sadbhav Mandap" will also be constructed on waqf land which will be utilised for marriage ceremonies, exhibitions and also relief centres during a calamity.