NGO demands Wakf Board to start functioning of regional, district offices

Aurangabad, Nov 18:

An NGO, Tahreek-e-Awqaf, today has urged the Maharashtra State Board of Wakfs (MSBoW) to start functioning of its district-level office as well as the six regional offices, soon.

While addressing the press conference in the city, the organisation''s president Shabbir Ansari said, " There is a dire need to take steps to protect and save the board''s property spread all over Maharashtra. In the past, Devendra Fadnavis led government had initiated some positive steps to save the properties but could not be implemented. The then director of the board did not extend support to save 1 lakh acre of land as he was busy in embezzlement."

There is a shortage of staff on the board. From 43 personnel (once upon a time), the strength has reduced to 24. The board should increase the strength of staff upto 813 personnel. The state government should grant aid of Rs 100 crore to the Wakf Board. Also, the board''s Rs 5 crore is kept as fixed deposit with the office of the Charity Commissioner. Hence, the amount should be transferred to the board office on priority, said Ansari.

The president also hinted at launching an agitation at Azad Maidan to press their various demands. The organisation''s office-bearers including secretary Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, Syed Shakeel, Mohd. Yusuf Nizami and others were also present on occasion.