GUWAHATI, Oct 5 - Demanding implementation of the Waqf Amendment (2013) Act in the State without further delay, senior advocate and chairman of the Assam Board of Waqf, Nakibur Zaman, today said that although the Act has been implemented in all other States of the country, the Government of Assam has not taken any initiative in this regard.
Addressing the media here on several issues related to the welfare activities of the Waqf and several controversies related to the Waqf properties, Zaman asked the Chief Minister to announce an enquiry within next 10 days into all the issues of anomalies crippling the Board for decades.
He called upon all the public organizations, students� bodies and conscious citizens to come forward and help in the recovery of the Waqf properties across the State.
Zaman said that nearly 95 per cent of the Waqf properties in the State have been encroached upon, with huge encroachment over more than 100 bigha of land in Guwahati.
�According to the survey of Waqf properties in 1957, the Board had more than 15,805 bigha in the State which would increase manifold now; but in the absence of any survey, we do know the exact data of Waqf land and the extent of encroachment,� he said.
Zaman also stated that due to bringing to light several anomalies related to Waqf properties and working procedure of the Board, he was under tremendous pressure from different segments that have launched a malign campaign against him.
�While the Board must be drawing nearly Rs 6 to 7 crore as annual revenue, it is getting a meagre sum ranging from Rs 68,000 to Rs 6,00,000 annually. The Waqf land is not only for the welfare of minority community, but its welfare activities like educational institutions, hostels, healthcare centres would benefit all sections of people,� he said, adding that reviving the Waqf should be taken seriously by all sections of people, organizations, intellectuals, etc, and the supremacy of indigenous people over its land and property must be ensured,� he added.
�At Fancy Bazar of Guwahati itself, a huge area of Waqf property is under encroachment of big traders. However, even after several court orders, the property was not retrieved. Thus the implementation of the Waqf Act is a must under the current circumstances,� he added.
He also alleged that a huge sum granted by the government for constructing a permanent building of the Waqf Board was misused and a police complaint was registered concerning the scam of Rs 38 lakh in this regard, but no action has been taken on this matter till date.
