The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Compensation amount for Nizam’s property lying with Saudi Government

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Compensation amount for Nizam’s property lying with Saudi Government

State Government urged to send delegation to Saudi Arabia

Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan had constructed shelters for Haj pilgrims
’As the amount can’t be transferred, it should be used for religious purposes there’

HYDERABAD: Millions of rials lying with the Saudi Arabian Government as compensation for properties taken over or demolished for road-widening works in the holy cities of Makkah and Madina, owned by the Nizam of Hyderabad, has not been claimed for a long time. Erstwhile princely Indian States used to own property in the holy place for the benefit of pilgrims.

It may come as a surprise to many. But it is a fact that former ruler of the erstwhile Hyderabad State Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan had constructed several shelters known as Rubat in Makkah and Madina for the convenience of Haj pilgrims. Hajis from Hyderabad State were provided free accommodation in the 12 shelters.

Consequent upon the decision of the Saudi Government to take possession, the buildings were acquired for expansion of Haram Sharif. The Indian Haj Committee retained only one 60-room building, which can accommodate 300 pilgrims.

MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi told The Hindu on Wednesday that the compensation amount is lying with the Saudi Government for a long time. “As the amount could not be transferred out of that country, the same should be used to purchase new properties to be used for pious and religious purposes,” he said. He said the State Government should send a delegation headed by the Minorities’ Welfare Minister and Wakf to Saudi Arabia to identify the buildings and properties and purchase them from the compensation amount the Saudi Government is due to pay. He said the House panel on Wakf properties, during its tour of New Delhi in December, would meet Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed in this regard.

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