CM calls for structural revamp of Wakf Board

Tribune News Service

Srinagar May 2

Calling for a structural revamp to make the J&K Wakf Board a vibrant organisation, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today ordered immediate mapping and inventory management of landed property and physical assets, including details of revenue, expenditure and human resource on the rolls of the organisation.

She asked the board to take a cue from similar religious organisations functioning in the state, which by prudent use of its assets and endowment money, have been able to create a huge social sector infrastructure base.

“I see no reason why we cannot replicate the same methodology where our immovable assets become more remunerative and endowment money is channelled back into the system in the form of social infrastructure,” she said while chairing the 23rd meeting of the Board of Directors of Wakf Board here.

The Chief Minister, who is also the chairperson of the Board, said, “The onus of proper utilisation of endowment money entirely lies on the board as devotees, who throng various shrines in large numbers, contribute with such a great sense of reverence. We need a transparent system of operations which ensures that this endowment money goes straight into the board kitty so that it is ploughed back into the system in the form of assets or wazeefa to old and needy people,” she said and added that the board’s official website should host all details in this connection.

On the issue of board’s immovable properties becoming unproductive, the Chief Minister described as inadequate the revenue realised as rentals from multiple commercial assets belonging to the organisation. She hinted at possible revision of rentals on leased out landed property to improve the weak revenue base of the Wakf Board.

The Chief Minister was apprised about the possible amendment to the Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Specified Wakf and Specified Wakf Properties Act to bring about a sizable hike in the rentals in vogue.

Emphasising upon out-of-box ideas to improve economic returns, Mehbooba advised the board to involve unemployed youth in a revenue-sharing partnership where the agricultural land, primarily orchards, was used for high density plantations, vegetable farming and floriculture. For this, she asked the Wakf Board to seek expert advice of scientists at Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences, Kashmir.

The meeting was informed that nearly 1,883 kanals of agricultural land has become un-remunerative primarily on account of senile and fruitless orchards. The board currently, due to financial constraints, lacks the wherewithal to rejuvenate the agricultural land.