Telangana Waqf Board faces questions over lack of regular meetings and transparency

Muslim community leaders have raised concerns over the Telangana State Waqf Board’s functioning, citing the prolonged absence of regular meetings, lack of transparency and difficulty in securing appointments. They also sought greater clarity on Waqf revenues and property administration.

Hyderabad: The functioning of the Telangana State Waqf Board has come under sharp scrutiny, with Muslim community leaders expressing concern over the prolonged absence of regular Board meetings, lack of clarity over its functioning and the alleged failure to provide appointments to social and religious organisations seeking to discuss issues concerning Waqf properties.

Former MP Aziz Pasha said the Waqf Board’s prolonged failure to hold regular meetings had raised serious questions about its functioning and accountability.

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He said there was a need for greater clarity on how decisions concerning Waqf properties were being taken in the absence of regular deliberations by the Board.

Socio Reforms Society president Dr Aleem Khan Falaki questioned the lack of transparency in the administration of Waqf institutions and sought details of revenues generated by them, including income from auctions connected with dargahs.
He questioned whether Waqf revenues were being adequately utilised for education, healthcare and welfare of vulnerable sections instead of being spent disproportionately on administrative expenses.

Maulana Taqi Raza Abedi, a well known community leader said the Muslim community had never been given a comprehensive picture of Waqf assets, which he described as running into “lakhs of crores of rupees”.

“Waqf properties are not the personal assets of any individual or office-bearer. Complete information about these properties should be placed in the public domain,” he said.

Muslim community leaders also alleged that social and religious organisations seeking appointments with the Waqf Board were not being given an opportunity to meet its officials and place their concerns. They said such organisations should be allowed to interact with the Board, particularly on issues relating to Waqf properties and their protection.

According to sources, restrictions were imposed on holding Board meetings in Telangana after the new Waqf law was passed in Parliament, amid questions over the composition and quorum of existing Boards.

Sources said existing Boards in several States had continued functioning and holding meetings, while Madhya Pradesh recently constituted a new body after the tenure of its previous Board ended.