– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
Bengaluru: Since the five years term of Karnataka State Board of Wakfs came to an end on October 21, the state government has announced to conduct elections of the Board on November 19. Secretary of Department of Minority Welfare Manoj Jain has been appointed Administrator of the Board and Regional Commissioner, Bangalore Division Aditya Amlan Biswas will function as Returning Officer.
As per the Wakf Act 1995, Wakf Board elections have to be held in four categories; one member from state MPs, two members from state legislators, two members from state Bar Council and two from the Mutawallis of those Wakf institutions whose annual income is more than a lakh rupees.
Last date for filing nomination papers is scheduled for October 30, scrutiny on October 31 and last date for withdrawal of the nominations will be November 4. Polling will be held on November 19, and counting on November 21. By November 22 the entire elections will be complete. Polling for the Mutawalli category will be held at four centres; Bengaluru, Belgavi, Kalburgi and Mysore.
The Board saw three Chairmen in the last five years term. Dr. Mohommed Yusuf was elected for second time but his new term lasted only for few months as he succumbed to the Corona epidemic. He was succeeded by Moulana Shafi Saadi but during mid of the term there was a change in the state government and Anwar Basha was appointed new chairman.
Meanwhile, the outgoing chairman Anwar Basha stated that during last one year 155 acres of wakf land was released from illegal occupation. There are 34,233 wakf institutions in the state which possess 47,512 properties. The properties are fenced with a common wall design.
Basha disclosed that by conducting Wakf Adalat in various districts by the Minister of Wakf Zameer Ahmed Khan, several long pending property disputes were settled and their documents were finalised with the help of district administrations.
He further said the Board has initiated to establish 15 Women PU Colleges on Waqf properties across the state. To meet the emergent health needs, 30 ambulances with all necessary equipment will be provided to district wakf offices, he said.
Anwar Bash further said the Board has vehemently objected the Wakf Amendment Bill brought by the Central government. The objections have been registered before the Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing the Bill. Chief Minister Siddaramiah has also been briefed about the stand of the Board against the Bill, he added.
