Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 20: "Legal action would be initiated to reclaim the encroached properties belonging to the Wakf Board in the state," said State Wakf Board Chairman N K Muhammed Shafi Saadi.
Speaking to media persons at the Wakf Board office, Azad Bhavana, Pandeshwara here on Saturday, February 19, he said, "In the state, out of 1.17 lakh acre Wakf properties, nearly 75,000 acres have been encroached. To reclaim the Wakf properties, all the possible actions would be initiated. We have also learnt that there were efforts to encroach 300 acres of Wakf properties in Yadgiri and several other places."
File photo
"Also, the Wakf Board would initiate necessary actions to prevent further encroachment of its properties. Already a proposal has been made with the government. A drone survey is being conducted. Measures will be taken to prevent the selling of identified Wakf lands," Shafi added.
He disclosed that under the Prime Minister Jan Vikas Karyakram, Wakf Board had received a grant of Rs 75 Crore. "Out of this, Rs 25 crore have been released for the three institutions of Wakf Board in Dakshina Kannada. The final list has been sent for the allotment of Rs 377 Crore to the Wakf Board in the state budget," Shafi said.
There is a target to develop the properties of Wakf Board and to construct educational institutions and hospitals along with commercial complexes which bring income to the board, he informed.
"Efforts are on to resolve the Hijab issue peacefully in the state. Unfortunately, the communal clash has made it to the educational institutions. It is really painful that few miscreants are trying to misuse this situation. Wakf Board is putting efforts to resolve this problem within the purview of the Constitution.
Talks are being held with the other religious leaders. There is a good response from them. Dialogues are on at the government level as well," said Shafi.
He also disclosed that all the institutions of the board had been instructed to submit the audit report within three months.
"In the month of March, Wakf Board will lay the foundation for an IAS training centre in Bengaluru," he added.