Religious endowment officials to get trained in Bhopal

BHOPAL - Waqf (religious endowments) Board officials of various states besides revenue and police officials will soon be imparted training here for the efficient management of waqf properties and activities, officials said Sunday.

Speaking at a meeting of Waqf Board chief executive officers (CEOs) here, Central Waqf Council (CWC) Secretary M.R. Haque said it had been decided that such a training should be imparted to the Waqf Board chiefs of all the states as also to the administrative officials including those from the police and the revenue department.

Expressing concern over the increasing cases of encroachment on Waqf properties, Haque also noted that the boards in various states were not generating enough funds from these properties as they should have.

Several properties, he said, were donated by people for the welfare and benefit of the poor, the widows and the travellers. “Besides, many properties were earmarked for religious works and education purpose by the donors but the purpose has not been met in many cases,” he added.

However, he hoped that since the computerisation of Waqf records has started all over the country, things would soon be streamlined. Moreover, efforts are also being made to broaden the base of the present Central Waqf Council and turn it into a corporation, he said.