GUWAHATI, Nov 18 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today directed the Minority Welfare Department to conduct a survey of the existing properties in possession of the Assam Board of Wakf. The survey has been ordered so that a clear estimate of the encroached lands of the Board and obtainable revenue from the Board�s properties can be made.
In a meeting held in the Chief Minister�s conference room today for reviewing different activities of the Minority Welfare Department, the Chief Minister directed the department to issue notices to the people and organisations illegally encroaching the properties of the Wakf Board.
Disclosing this, an official press release here stated that the Chief Minister had also directed the Minority Welfare Department to take necessary steps for setting up of a model school campus having all modern educational facilities to uplift the religious and linguistic minorities of the State. Sonowal said that apart from containing facilities for modern education system, sports and culture, the school should also offer different skill trainings and other professional courses for holistic development of the students belonging to minority communities.
Sonowal also directed the Minority Welfare Department to identify a proper place and prepare a budget proposal for setting up a Haj Bhawan containing all modern amenities in the city. The plan for the Bhawan should have facilities for car parking, lodging and food catering service, Sonowal said.
He also asked Minority Welfare Department officials to take suggestions of intellectuals, educationists, social thinkers of the minority community for the same.
On the other hand he also directed a proper investigation into the Rs 6.5-crore fund anomaly in the construction of the existing Haj Bhawan in the city.
The Chief Minister also urged the officials to sincerely implement the schemes meant for the development of minorities of the State so that the motto of �Sabka Sath Sabka Vikash� can become a reality in the truest sense. The government would not tolerate any lapse in implementation of minority welfare schemes, he reiterated.
Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Lohia, Commissioner and Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department Rajesh Prasad, Secretary to the Chief Minister Solanki Vishal Vasant were present in the meeting, among others, stated the press release.
