Demand for early release of Muharram funds

Hyderabad: With their demand to conduct review meetings about arrangements for the conduct of Moharram, Shia Asna Ashari Wakf Protection Front leaders submitted representation at Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy Collectorates.

The delegation comprised of Mir Hyder Ali Jaffery, Firasath Ali Baqri, Mirza Askar Ali Baig, Syed Najmul Hassan Baqri met Joint Collector Hyderabad Sreevasta Kota and Ranga Reddy District Collector S Harish. They submitted a representation demanding Moharram arrangements meeting to be conducted as early as possible and funds be allocated for the same. The Collector assured that necessary steps will be taken in this regard. The Front also requested them to visit the institutions before the commencement of the month of Moharram.

They said that each year, these review meetings are delayed and sometimes taken place after the beginning of the Moharram, which proves futile exercise since most of the works are either taken up by the time or remains only on paper. The allocations which are generally made after beginning of the month vdo not help in renovation or repair of the Ashoorkhanas on time. They demanded that the meetings be conducted at least a month prior to the commencement of the month, so that arrangements are made much before or at least by the time month starts.

They alleged that the funds earmarked each year for the purpose of renovation or repair does not reach on time or sometimes failed to reach altogether. So that there is a need of close monitoring of how funds would be utilised, they demanded that both the Collectors visit the places, where Muharram is observed and considered important places of worship. While some of the leaders demanded that the State government allocate Rs. 50 crore for the purpose of repair and renovation for Moharram.