Delhi Waqf Board to fix annual fee from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10000 for burials

New Delhi: In view of the shortage of land and problem of encroachments, the Delhi Waqf Board has prepared a draft model graveyard policy, recommending a fixed 3 to 30 year allotment period for graves and an annual fee ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 for burials.

According to the new policy, the land would be reused and construction of ‘pucca’ permanent grave would be prohibited. The grave would be allowed only on allotment basis for a minimum period of 3 years and up to a period of 30 years against the payment of the fee.

As per the draft, an annual fee of Rs. 5000 will be charged for allotment for 3 years, while the annual fee will be Rs. 10,000 per year for each year exceeding first 3 years, if the allotment is sought for any period beyond 3 years. The maximum allotment period will be 30 years, and the allottee or legal heirs can choose to reuse the grave for further burials, within the period of allotment, it said.

Management of Tikona Park graveyard near Hazrat Nijazmuddin Dargah in Delhi has prepared the draft policy.

As per the record available, there are 573 notified graveyards with the Delhi Waqf Board. However, only 143 graveyards are actually available for burial while the remaining are under encroachment.