Hyderabad: Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has decided to lease out Wakf lands. It has identified 30 lands situated at prime locations. These could be leased out to commercial or multinational companies for a period of 30 years. These properties has been identified in Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, Kurnool and Anantapur. It is expected that an income Rs. 80-100 crore would be generated out of these properties. A detailed report has been submitted to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. After his approval, tenders would be invited.
It is reported that CM has instructed Minorities Welfare Minister, Dr. P. Raghunath Reddy to protect Wakf property. Open lands are proposed to be given on lease in order to save them from illegal possessions.
It may be mentioned that as per the Central Wakf Act, wakf properties can be given on lease for a maximum period of 30 years. It is hoped that many multinational companies would come forward to take these lands. According to the terms and conditions of leasing, no un-Islamic activity could be carried out on these lands.
Wakf Board officials told that CM has instructed them to increase income so that it could be spent on welfare activities of the Muslims. It is learnt that the conflict of distribution of money is getting intense. A.P. Wakf Board claims that it has to get Rs. 50 crore from Telangana but Telangana Govt. is delaying its payment. Wakf Board was bifurcated 6 months back but its share of amount has not been given so far.
Dr. Raghunath Reddy contacted Mr. Mohammed Mahmood Ali and requested him to convene a meeting of the State Officials. Secretary of Minorities Welfare Dept. of A.P. Mr. S.S. Rawat contacted Mr. Syed Omer Jaleel, Secretary, Dept. of Minorities Welfare, Govt. of Telangana. It is reported that Govt. of Telangana has to pay Rs. 50 crore to Govt. of A.P., out of which Rs. 40 crore are in fixed deposit account. In addition to this, Rs. 23 crore was spent for the construction of Hajj House and for the purchase of open lands on either side of Hajj House. A.P. Wakf Board claims that if Rs. 23 crore is released, it can come out of financial crises. A.P. has 45% share in Hajj House. It has 8 employees and the monthly expenditure on their salaries is Rs. 40 lakh which is met out of the income received from Dargahs and other Wakf properties.
–Siasat News