Stressing on the need for utilizing its donations for the welfare especially for providing quality education to poor people , the Minister for Revenue, Haj & Auqaf and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri today asked the State Wakaf Council to take requsite steps in this regard.“Efforts should be made to establish model educational institutions or to upgrade the existing schools being run by Auqaf Islamia with modern facilities so that quality education is provided to the people of beneficiary community”, the Minister said.The Minister said this while chairing the 18th meeting of State Wakaf Council, here today.The was attended by Member Parliament Fayaz Ahmad, Legislators G M Saroori, Shah Mohammad Tantray, Firdaus Ahmad Tak, Commissioner Secretary, Revenue, Shahid Inaytullah and Secretary Law, Abdul Majid Bhat.While taking a detailed review of the status of action taken on the decisions of the 17th meeting of the Council, the Minister was briefed regarding developmental activities being carried out by Auqaf department including the status of establishment of three nursing colleges by the Wakaf Council at Rajouri, Jammu and Kishtwar.It was informed that all three Nursing Colleges are functional. At Rajouri, the college is being run in the BGSBU campus while as in Jammu and Kishtwar; classes are being run in a private building on rent basis. The meeting was further informed that the 8 marla each has been identified for setting up of college building and proposal submitted to the BGSBU for further process.
Regarding construction of student’s hostel in Jammu, the meeting was informed that the hostel building is ready and soon the applications would be called for utilizing it properly and making it fully functional.Progress in other issues as decided in the last meeting including preparation of Master plan for Shahdara Sharief, status of establishment of Skill and Employability Enhancement Institute at Smailpur, construction of flats/shopping complexes on wakaf land and others were also discussed.With regard to leasing out the wakaf property situated at Palika Bazar, Residency Road Jammu, the Minister asked Special Officer Auqaf to give wide publicity through all the mediums in both the divisions so that people would apply for leasing process. He also urged the council members to publicize it on personal level so that objective behind constructing the Shopping Complex would be fulfilled.The council approved construction of building for school established by Auqaf Islamia at Ziarat Chottey Shah Sahib Mendhar where at present 55 students are being provided free education, lodging and boarding facilities.To make the Millat International School, Chowadhi in Jammu as one of the best educational institution of the state, the council decided for constitution of a sub-committee and to engage some renowned educationist to help in revamping the school.The Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Council said that serious efforts need to be taken not only from Auqaf side but on personal level also so that this school comes up as a premiere institution in the state. All the members also gave their suggestions for better functioning of the school.
Regarding the renewal of rent of Wakaf properties, the Minister asked for renewing the existing rent in accordance with the market rates by working out a proper method for the same to bring in uniformity in the process. He asked the Commissioner Secretary to personally look into the issue.The meeting also discussed construction of flats and commercial complexes on Wakaf land at various other places to augment the revenue base of the Council. It also accorded approval for the construction of properties at these places as per the proposals already submitted.During the meeting, status of construction work on Jamia Masjid, Talab Khatikan was also reviewed. The Council was briefed about the present status of works with required funding to complete the works.The Minister asked all the Auqaf Units to contribute so that works are completed at the earliest.The Budget of State Wakaf Council and its 25 Units for the year 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 was also presented and discussed in the meeting which was later approved by the Council. During the deliberations, the performance of Auqaf, Shahdara Sharief in terms of its income and other initiatives was applauded by all.Veeri appreciated the efforts of Auqaf Administrator, Shahdara Sharief and his staff for the performance. The Administrator also informed the meeting about the welfare initiatives taken for helping the needy people of the beneficiary community. To provide financial assistance to the destitute and physically disabled poor people of the state, the Council accorded approval for creation of a corpus fund of Rs 10 lakh per annum in the office of CEO, State Wakaf Council with contribution from various Units of Wakaf Council.
The financial assistance would be provided to the needy people suffering from life consuming diseases for their treatment after proper medical verification process.The Council also proposed for creation of a kitty of Rs 5 lakh so that students of the community, below poverty line pursuing technical course including preparation for civil services would be provided financial assistance.The Minister asked the Special Officer, Auqaf to come with a separate proposal for this noble cause. He said that this initiative will surely provide relief to the needy and Wakaf Council should take such initiatives for the betterment of the people.It was informed to the Council that digitization of the land record of Auqaf department is under process and documents are being scanned for the further process.It was decided that Council meeting would be called every three months so that decisions can be reviewed and performance be monitored on real time basis. The Council after brief discussions approved majority of agenda points.The other members who attended the meeting included Dr Mohammad Assadullah Wani, Mufti Anayatullah, G A Khwaja, A R Wani, Abdul Wahid Tak, Noorani Sahib, Advocate Shah Mohammad Choudhary, besides the members of State Wakaf Council, Administrators of Auqaf Jammu, Shahadra Sharief Rajouri, Kishtwar, Nowshera, Rajouri and Poonch.