Wakf Board postings go to Public Service Commission

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major decision, the LDF government has decided in principle to route all appointments of  Wakf  Board through the Public Service Commission. To begin with, 22 posts would be routed through the PSC and subsequently all posts that arise in the Board will also follow the same norm.

“We have taken the decision to stop recommendation culture in the Board. Many people have got appointments because of recommendations from various quarters. We want to enhance the efficiency of the Board, get talented and competent people,” Wakf Minister K. T. Jaleel told DC.

The minister said that the government was committed to root out inefficiency from the Board. He said the matter had been discussed with Board Chairman Sayyid Rasheed Al Shihab Thangal and he has supported the move. Jaleel said the government was also planning to conduct a detailed survey of the Wakf Board property in the state.

“There has been no proper survey of Wakf Board property since 1954. The board property has been taken away at many places. There is widespread encroachments and illegal occupation of our property. All these have to be taken back and enlisted properly,” the minister said. He said the government was planning to solicit the services of a district judge for carrying out the comprehensive survey. “The entire exercise might take a couple of years. But we want to bring order and set things right in the Wakf Board,” he added.

The Wakf  Board decision comes close on the heels of the government handing over devaswom board appointments to the PSC. The government had also scrapped the Devaswom Recruitment Board alleging widespread corruption in its dealings .