New Delhi: Waqf Boards will be established in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil, for the first time since Independence, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Friday.
The announcement came after the Minister chaired the Central Waqf Council meet in New Delhi. The historic move has been made possible after abolition of Article 370.
Waqf Boards will improve state’s resources as well as living conditions as it will ensure proper utilisation of Waqf properties in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil for welfare of the society.
The Central Government will provide adequate financial assistance to construct infrastructure for socio-economic and educational activities on Waqf properties in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil under “Pradhanmantri Jan VikasKarykram” (PMJVK).
Thousands of Waqf properties in J&K to be registered
Naqvi said that there are thousands of Waqf properties in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil and the process has been started to register these Waqf properties. Digitisation, Geo Tagging/GPS Mapping of these Waqf properties has also been initiated and the work will be completed soon. The state governments have been asked to take strict action against such Waqf mafias who have allegedly encroached upon Waqf properties.
The Minority Affairs Minister disclosed that just like other parts of the country, the Central Government will construct schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, girls hostels, hospitals, multi-purpose community hall “SadbhavMandap”, “Hunar Hub”, common service centres, employment oriented skill development centres and other basic infrastructure on Waqf land in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil under “Pradhanmantri Jan Vikas Karykram” (PMJVK).
These basic infrastructure will ensure quality education for the needy, especially girls and give employment opportunities to the youths.
Digitisation of all Waqf boards in the works
Naqvi said that about 6 lakh 64,000 registered Waqf properties are there across the country. Digitisation of all the state Waqf boards has been completed. Geo Tagging/GPS Mapping of Waqf properties is being done ona war footing. 32 state Waqf boards have been provided video conferencing facilities.
The Minister said that during last about 6 years, the Modi Government has developed socio-economic-educational and employment oriented infrastructure across the country in Minority concentrated areas.
These projects include: 1527 New School Buildings; 22877 Additional Class Rooms; 646 Hostels; 163 Residential Schools, 9217 Smart Class Rooms (including those in KendriyaVidyalayas); 32 Colleges; 95 ITIs; 13 Polytechnics; 6 NavodayaVidyalayas; 403 Multi-purpose community centre “SadbhavMandap”; 574 Market Sheds; 2842 toilet and water facilities; 140 Common Service Centres; 22 Working Women Hostels; 1926 Health Projects; 5 Hospitals; 8 Hunar Hub; 14 various sports facilities, 6014 Anganwadi Centres.
