Hyderabad : The Telangana State Waqf Board (TGSWB) and mutawallis (caretakers of waqf properties) are facing confusion regarding the recently launched UMEED portal, initiated by the Union government to digitize and manage waqf assets across the country, reported the Hindu. The portal, officially known as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency & Development (UMEED) portal, was launched on June 6 by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.
While the central government claims the portal will enhance transparency, facilitate geo-tagging of waqf properties, and empower Muslim women, the ground reality in Telangana tells a different story. As of now, only three waqf institutions have registered on the portal, with both the Board and mutawallis unclear about how to proceed.
A senior TGSWB official revealed that although the Board has contacted the State government for further instructions, no clarity has been provided yet. “There are six months to complete the uploading of data. More than a month has already passed. The task is massive, as Telangana has over 33,929 waqf institutions, as per the First Waqf Survey,” the official said.
The portal mandates the uploading of personal and institutional information, including land details, records of encroachments, and ongoing legal cases. A Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) has also been proposed, consisting of a state-appointed civil servant, a district administration official, and the Waqf Board CEO to oversee implementation.
TGSWB member Syed Bandagi Badesha Quadri expressed optimism that Telangana might follow Tamil Nadu’s lead, which passed a resolution opposing the portal when it was still a Bill. He also pointed to West Bengal, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the Act would not be enforced.
Mr. Quadri suggested that the Board, in coordination with land administration and survey departments, could assist mutawallis in retrieving the required documentation.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has also voiced its opposition to the UMEED portal. Spokesperson S.Q.R. Ilyas confirmed that AIMPLB has prepared a petition to challenge the portal legally but is currently awaiting an interim order from the Supreme Court to proceed further. The Board has urged Muslims and waqf institutions not to register on the portal until a final decision is made by the judiciary.
