JPC to suggest amendments to Wakf Act 1995

Aurangabad, June 19 (UNI) The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Wakf, on a visit to Marathwada region, today declared that it would suggest amendments to the Wakf Act 1995 to strengthen the Wakf Boards.

The JPC was on a two-day visit of Marathwada region to inspect the functioning of the Maharashtra State Wakf Board (MSWB).

The JPC, headed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Laljan Basha, also directed revenue and police officials to help remove encroachments on Wakf properties in three to six months.

''It is not possible to remove all the encroachments, specially for the residential areas. In such a case, they have been asked to reach out at an understanding with those who have encroached upon the Wakf properties,'' said Basha while speaking to reporters here.

He also said that he would speak to the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary to take a decision on the encroachments made by various government department on the Wakf properties. ''We have also decided to request the Chief Minister to extend financial help to the MSWB on the lines of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,'' he said.

Earlier, the 14-member JPC team, visited various prime properties in the region and the city, which were either sold out by the 'Mutwallis' (caretakers) or were encroached upon for many years.

On a question about a prime property belonging to Wakf board allegedly purchased by Dilip Deshmukh, brother of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, in Aurangabad city, the JPC chairman said, A number of similar allegations have been made. But we have to study the entire matter before we can comment,' he said.

About 100 complaints and representations were given to the JPC during its two-day visit, that concluded today. Aurangabad MP Chandrakant Khaire and NCP MP Tariq Anwar, were among the 14-member JPC team who visited various localities, where Wakf properties were allegedly encroached upon by either individuals or some agencies.

UNI