The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : CCTV cameras to keep tab on Wakf Board staff

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Friday, Nov 26, 2010
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

CCTV cameras to keep tab on Wakf Board staff

Special Correspondent

Close watch being kept for first time

Chairman orders computerisation of Wakf records
Fresh survey of all Wakf properties in State

HYDERABAD: The ‘all-play-no-work' culture will be a thing of the past at Wakf Board. Hereafter, employees will find it difficult to shirk work as they will be under scrutiny all the time.

In a move aimed at streamlining the functioning, 48 CCTV cameras are being installed in the Wakf Board office here to keep a tab on the goings on in various sections. It is for the first time such a close watch is being mounted in this minority department which has become synonymous with all sorts of fraudulent activities.

Syed Gulam Afzal Biabani, who has recently taken over as Wakf Board chairman, has decided to clean up the Aegean stables. To begin with he is dropping in at the office at 10.20 a.m. sharp, ten minutes before the office timing, sending shockwaves. The ‘delinquent' staff members are forced to fall in line.

“The cameras are not just to monitor the staff but also to protect them from unruly elements. In the past there were instances of outsiders beating the staff. Moreover, cameras will be installed in my chamber and also that of CEO,” says Mr. Biabani.

In a major administrative shake up, he ordered computerisation of all Wakf records to ensure that files do not disappear mysteriously. Several important files have earlier found their way to encroachers thanks to alleged complicity of the staff.

Encroachments

Mr. Biabani has also ordered fresh survey of all the Wakf properties in the State. As per records there are more than 37,000 Wakf institutions besides 1,85,000 acres of open land. Of this nearly 80,000 acres is under encroachment.

In many places government offices, roads and canals have come up on Wakf land. “Once the survey report is received steps will be taken to increase the Board revenue,” Mr. Biabani said.

The revenue last year was Rs. 5.06 crore and it is proposed to raise it five-fold. Rents of most of the Wakf properties were as low as Rs. 125 per month.

“We will enter into fresh agreement with all the tenants. Hereafter, they will have to pay rent as per the prevailing market rate,” Mr. Biabani said.

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