Charity Commission told to refund Rs one crore to Wakf

Mumbai, May 8 (UNI) The Maharashtra government has directed the Charity Commissioner to refund Rs one crore to the Wakf Board, accrued by the Commission as service tax on the Wakf property in the State, Minister of Dairy and Wakf, Mr Anees Ahmed said today.

The refunded money will be used for various purposes of the Wakf, including the payment of the employees, who have been deprived of their salaries by the Board, citing cash crunch.

The Commission collects 2 per cent service tax on all Wakf properties across the State. It is said to have some Rs five crore in its coffers on account of service tax collected from the Board.

''The issue had been pending for a long time. Today, we had a meeting with the officials from the State Revenue department as well as from Law and Judiciary department. Consequently, the Commission agreed to refund Rs one crore to the Board,'' Mr Ahmed said.

The government has also set up a three-member committee, headed by a Joint Secretary-level official to chalk out modelities for the refund of the balance Rs four crore to the Board.

The development of Wakf property had come to a near halt as the funds meant for development purposes were being diverted towards payment of the employees' salary.

UNI