Wakf properties rented out for a pittance

Anantapur: The Wakf Board which has properties worth several crore of rupees is getting rental income from them only in thousands of rupees.

In fact, the State government had identified 10,300 acres in the district as Wakf Board properties of which it had taken possession of 6,800 acres.

Around 290 acres of land has been encroached. Minorities are expressing anguish at the lackadaisical attitude of the officials in taking care of Wakf properties.

In the 24.55-acre Jamia Masjid, there were many commercial complexes built.

Also, in the Masjid at Saptagiri Circle and other places, there are 62 shops. There are two shadi khanas in the Housing Board Colony.

On the premises of the local ITI, several structures have been built with donations from MPs and the public.

According to official sources, the rent of each shop ranges between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000. But in fact, the rents should be in the order of Rs 10,000 according to the prevailing rates.

The Wakf Board is supposed to earn at least Rs 6.2 lakh a month at the rate of Rs 10,000 for each shop.

Annually, it comes to around Rs 74 lakh. However, the Wakf Board is receiving only Rs 1.24 lakh per month.

According to Imtiaz, Awaaz State secretary and leader of the Muslim oganisation Mushkin, the Wakf Board is getting only a nominal income from its properties.

Imtiaz says there is no protection for Wakf properties in the district which is represented in the State Cabinet by Palle Raghunadha Reddy.

Wakf Board Inspector Ghousuddin Mohammed said that action has been initiated against some Muthavalis who are depriving the Wakf Board of its revenue.

He also said that measures would be initiated shortly to augment rental income from the shops.

Reports of encroachment of Wakf properties at Penukonda, Kothacheruvu, Guntakal and Kadiri, would be looked into, said Ghousuddin.