Waqf Board divided over use of Punjabi in recruitment

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 16

An amendment to the Punjab Waqf Board (Ministerial Staff) Regulations, 2019, to make Punjabi non-compulsory for direct recruitment to the board has led to a sharp divide among board members. Of the total 10 members, five have decided to oppose the amendment, which calls for giving six months to non-Punjabis to learn the language after recruitment.

“Since the board looks after the properties of Punjabi Muslims, the language must be given preference. How will a candidate with no knowledge of Punjabi work in the state? In 2019, through an amendment to the regulation, we had made matric with the Punjabi language a must for recruitment to the board. But last week, the board chairman, along with four other members, amended that regulation,” alleged Izaz Alam, a member.

“During a meeting on June 10, five members voted against the resolution for an amendment to the regulation. Though it was 5-5 on both sides, the chairman, through his casting vote, favoured the amendment. It’s unfair to the Punjabi language and we will take up the matter with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh,” said Alam.

“We have brought in this amendment to invite best talent from other states and improve the functioning of the board,” said Junaid Raja Khan, waqf board chairman.