Plans afoot to develop Wakf properties in Telangana

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Wakf Board will soon be finalising its plans to take up the development of Wakf properties in prime locations in the city. The Board, in collaboration with private companies, will be taking up the construction of shopping complexes, malls and other commercial spaces to garner more revenue through its spaces. For […]

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Wakf Board will soon be finalising its plans to take up the development of Wakf properties in prime locations in the city.

The Board, in collaboration with private companies, will be taking up the construction of shopping complexes, malls and other commercial spaces to garner more revenue through its spaces.

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For community
“With the money generated from the move, we will be taking up more welfare activities for the community. Previously, we had only planned it, but now in the next board meeting, we will most probably finalise the companies who approached us,” TS Wakf Board chairman Mohammed Saleem said, adding that a meeting of board officials was recently held with Minister of Minority Welfare Koppula Eshwar.

The Board had identified at least 11 prime spaces and properties in the city at Begumpet, Tolichowki, Pahadishareef, Khairatabad, Hitec City and other important commercial areas. These include 1,500 square yards to 10-acre land parcels.

Build-operate-transfer scheme
Officials maintained that as the projects require huge funds, the Board felt that arranging so much money on its own would be a major challenge in the present circumstances.

“If we enter into a partnership on the build-operate-transfer scheme, the board will benefit in the long run. The properties will also be safeguarded and put to some use,” a Wakf Board official said.

The board already is running several welfare schemes like providing financial assistance for the sick, pension for widows, honorarium for imams and muezzin working at various mosques in the State. This apart, it also provides financial assistance for funeral expenses and helps students pay their educational expenses.

Legal battle
The TS Wakf Board had after a long struggle managed to claim some of its properties.

“Several individuals had contested the ownership. Our legal teams have managed to fight the cases in the court and we won. We are protecting the Wakf properties by taking the help of all government departments and we also have a strong legal team,” Saleem said.

An official said that if all went well, the Board would hand over the land or the property to the private party and fix the percentage of the revenue it would get on a monthly or yearly basis.

“The amount will directly go into the bank accounts as decided in the contract and the money will be spent for welfare activities,” he said.

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