PAC suggests probe into Wakf properties

Observing that 145 properties of Wakf Board worth Rs 609.91 crore were registered in the names of private individuals, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended a thorough probe into the issue.

The committee chaired by BJP MLA R Ashoka submitted the report to the Legislative Council on Wednesday.

The committee report noted that basic information such as survey numbers, land area and property limits of around 3,000 properties were unavailable.

All the required information should be surveyed to update the records, it recommended. It has also instructed the government to carry out indexation of 20,473 property documents of Wakf Board in coordination with the departments concerned.

Of the 37,292 Wakf properties, 16,819 have been indexed. Wakf department officials have applied for indexation of 20,473 properties with Revenue department officials. Apart from it, circulars have been issued by Revenue and Panchayat Raj departments for maintaining these properties, the report said.

Encroachment

The committee also expressed dissatisfaction over inaction of the state government in clearing encroachment of 213 acres of land worth Rs 1,138 crore in five districts.

As per rules, Wakf institutions are allowed to deposit money only in nationalised banks. However, a Muslim orphanage of the Board has deposited Rs 84 lakh in Amanath Co-operative Bank, the committee noted.

Responding to the complaint, the Board clarified that, of the said amount, Rs 67.4 lakh was deposited in the bank, while the remaining 17.43 lakh was invested in its shares.

Following the same, the committee has instructed the orphanage to withdraw the money and deposit it in a nationalised bank.