Eminent industrialist Dr Mohammed Yusuf has been elected the chairperson of the Karnataka State Board of Wakfs.

Announcing this, Qamarul Islam, Minister for Minorities’ Welfare and Wakfs, expressed hope that Yusuf would protect the Wakf properties and work for the welfare of the minorities.

Addressing reporters, Dr Yusuf said that there was 1.32 lakh acres of land with the Wakf Board at the time of Independence.

A large number of the properties were lost under various laws, including the Inam Land Abolition Act.

Presently, the Board has 52,000 acres on paper, of which a large chunk is lost due to encroachment. He said that the Board would ensure that the land is taken back.

“The survey of Wakf land is underway and by October, the entire survey report will be out,” said Yusuf.