The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Notification on reconstitution of State Wakf Board soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Notification on reconstitution of State Wakf Board soon

J.S. Ifthekhar

Majlis sets sight on board, represents matter to YSR

HYDERABAD: Reconstitution of the State Wakf Board is on the cards. The Government is expected to issue a notification in this regard shortly and appoint an election officer.

The nine-member board, which was at the centre of controversy after the change of guard, was superseded on December 14 and an IPS officer, S.A. Huda, was appointed Special Officer. The latter's six-month term ends on June 14.

YSR keen on new board

"The Chief Minister is keen on reconstituting the board at the earliest. After issue of the notification, election will be held within 45 days," Mohd. Fariduddin, Minister for Wakf Board and Minorities Welfare, says.

The Government is under pressure from Congress workers for immediate reconstitution of the board. Several minority leaders of the party have staked claim for the posts of Chairman and board members. Senior party workers are said to be peeved that even after completion of one year of the Congress Government they have not been nominated either to the Wakf Board, the State Urdu Academy or the Haj Committee.

The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, which has also set eyes on the board, has repeatedly represented to the Chief Minister for an early reconstitution.

However, officials are said to be in favour of continuing the Special Officer regime as they feel the administration is efficient and transparent when it functions on a non-partisan basis.

Mr. Fareeduddin, however, rules out such a possibility and says the Chief Minister himself is for immediate reconstitution.

"Preliminary discussions with the Chief Minister have been held, and the matter will be finalised in a couple of days," the Minister says, and adds that there is no legal hurdle in holding the election.

As per the Wakf Act, 1955, the nine-member board is to be constituted with five members under the elected category and four under the nominated category.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh