Wakf Minister: Functioning of MSBW was unsatisfactory since its inception; Board to shift its state-level office to Mumbai

Aurangabad, Oct 24:

Maharashtra''s wakf and minorities development minister Nawab Malik today confirmed that the government would soon shift the office of Maharashtra State Board of Wakfs (MSBW) from Aurangabad to Mumbai.

" For effective functioning of offices. MSBW will be decentralised, and it will establish a regional office in each division of the state. Accordingly, the headquarter of regional office will be in Aurangabad (existing premises on Panchakki) and its jurisdiction will comprise of eight districts of Marathwada," said the minister while addressing a press conference organised at MSBW (in Aurangabad) today morning.

" The functioning of MSBW has not been satisfactory since its inception in 2003. The reasons include employees'' grievances, unaware about the authorities by the board members, the CEOs etc. Besides, the proposed Wakf Board Rules had neither been approved nor amended by the government. Moreover, the functioning of the wakf board was inactive during the BJP ruled government in the state," stressed Malik.

Malik also mentioned official reforms initiated to convert the MSBW office into citizens-friendly and maintain transparency in its functioning. " The office is visited mainly by people to get papers in connection with the Change Report, Registration and Scheme (Trust Bye-laws). Hereafter, the visitors would need not have to visit the office as all the correspondence will be done strictly through online and the required papers will be sent to them on payment (through RTGS) through the post. It will save time, money as well as help to overcome plaints alleging harassment by Wakf officials. They can track the status of their application or files online," said the wakf minister adding that very soon MSBW will develop a dedicated payment portal with the assistance of IT department officials.

The minister also expressed concern over old and stinky records and the struggle of office personnel in preserving them. " To preserve all the old records of Wakf properties, we will soon start digitisation of records within six months," he said.

The Wakf tribunal comprises three members, but it is functioning with two members only. Hence the third member (of additional collector''s rank) will be appointed to smoothen its functioning, soon.

Malik said, " Under deemed transfer, 5,970 Muslim trusts registered with charity commissioner have been transferred to MSBW. These trusts fall under ''B'' category and were notified with the charity commissioner before the formation of the wakf board.

Malik also hinted at the holding of MSBW elections in 2-3 months. " The new body will comprise of two representatives from Bar Councils, two Islamic scholars, two MPs, two legislatures, mutawalli (caretaker) and social workers," he said.

The minister also spoke on the permanent appointment of CEO, an ongoing survey of wakf properties on a pilot basis in Pune and Parbhani, removal of encroachments from Wakf land, clearing of 1623 Wakf related pending cases etc.

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