- Several new initiatives, welfare measures undertaken by Wakf
JAMMU: Minister for Haj & Auqaf, Mr. Abdul Rehman Veeri today informed the House that Government will soon start digitization of wakf records to ensure safety of its assets and transparency in the functioning of the department, adding that an exclusive website will also be launched for the purpose. Replying to Demands for Grants of Haj & Auqaf Department in LA today, the Minister maintained that to generate income and to optimally use wakf land, the Wakf authorities would construct residential flats at Eidgah Jammu and it is also considering to upgrade Block B of Haj House, Jammu to provide more facilities to the people.
The new initiatives which have been undertaken by the Wakf authorities include construction of Rs. 23 crore Shopping Complex at Residency Road, construction of new Jamia Masjid at Talab Khatikan at an estimated cost of Rs. 20 crore, extension of Jamia Masjid at Shahadra Sharief at a cost of Rs. 92 lakh and construction of 2 Shopping Complex’s at Rajouri at a cost of Rs. 1.81 crore.
The Auqaf Jammu also intends to impart para-medical training to the children of poor and down trodden families and in this regard an Institute of Para-Medics will be set up at Jammu, he said and added that a Sarai would also be constructed at Jammu to cater to the demands of the poor beneficiaries who come from hilly and backward areas of the State for various assignments.
The Minister said that a Committee would be constituted to examine enhancement of honorarium to the widows, orphans and other needy, adding that Rs. 35 lakh have been provided as honorarium to various categories of beneficiaries during the current fiscal. The Auqaf has also created a Corpus Fund of Rs. 10 lakh to help the poor patients suffering from life consuming diseases like Cancer, Kidney failure and heart ailments.
Mr. Veeri informed that Government is exploring the possibilities for incorporating the provision in the J&K Act-2001 for construction of a Tribunal for Wakf property on the pattern of Central Government. He said a proposal for constitution of a Committee comprising Muslim scholars of various schools of thought is in the pipeline for making suggestions, recommendations regarding establishment of Madarsa Board in the State.
The Minister further informed that Wakf authorities have also provided Rs. 38 crore to BGSBU from the year 2000 till date as Grant in Aid. The Wakf has a total balance of Rs. 12 crore at present, he informed. Mr. Veeri further added that Wakf authorities have taken concrete steps to retrieve the land from the people under illegal occupation at various places across the State and efforts are also on to get rent from such land/buildings, which are under the occupation of various stakeholders including Government establishments.
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