Telangana plan may hit Wakf revenue
Housing all offices in Wakf building opposed.
Hyderabad: Wakf activists are shocked by the state government’s plans to accommodate the offices of all minority departments in a newly-constructed Wakf building. They fear that by taking over the building, the government will deprive the Wakf Board of a source of revenue. The premises in question, which is located adjacent to the Telangana Haj House, has an area of 1.13 lakh square feet.
Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali recently said that the building was being converted into a mini-secretariat for minority communities as per the instructions issued by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. He had said that four or five wings of the minorities welfare department were functioning out of rented buildings. “The government has to bear a monthly rental expense of Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh for these offices. Instead, all the offices can be accommodated here,” Mr Ali said.
Mr Osman Al Hajri, president of the Deccan Wakf Protection Society, said that the building was constructed with the intention of leasing it out and generating revenue for the TS Wakf Board. “Several offices are already functioning in the Haj House building, and they do not pay any rent. By accommodating new offices in the adjacent building, the government wants to grab Wakf properties,” he said.
The seven-storey commercial complex which has been constructed on a 3,800 sq. yard plot has been a victim of official apathy. Construction work has remained incomplete for the past five years. “Nothing has happened so far. Crores of rupees have been invested in the construction of the building, yet it has not taken its final shape. It remains unoccupied except for one month during Haj season,” said Mr S.Q. Masood, a social activist.
Mr Ilyas Shamshi, another Wakf protection activist, said that the Wakf Board is not able to take care of properties within its own compound. “Forget the protection of Wakf properties across the state, the board has been unable to set and collect rent for offices in the Haj House building. Before allotting the new building to the government, the Board should set the rent amount and collect is every month,” Mr Shamsi said.