BJP’s Wakf Minister cracks the whip in Karnataka

The newly appointed Minister for Wakf in BJP ruled Karnataka Mumtaz Ali Khan has decided to streamline the management of Wakf properties in the state.

After holding a meeting with progressive leaders of the community, intellectuals and representatives of non-governmental organizations in Bangalore after assuming charge as the Minister for Wakf and Minority Affairs, Khan regretted that rampant misuse of Wakf properties in the state.

He said selfish leaders of the community had leased out precious land and commercial space in the cities like Bangalore for a “pittance”. Illegal encroachment of Wakf land is rampant.

“Such misuse of Wakf properties by influential persons is proving to be a hurdle for the development of the Muslim community”, he pointed out.

He cited the example of leasing out of a building in the heart of Bangalore belonging to Wakf to a five star hotel for 99 years lease at a monthly rent of Rs 600,000. The building can easily command a monthly rent for Rs 3.5 million rent, Khan said and added that he would explore the possibilities of scrapping the agreement.

Expressing displeasure over the functioning of the Wakf Board and the Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation, Khan said billions of rupees spent in the last 60 years had not yielded the desired impact as funds had been misused.
Urging the Muslim community in the state to put the welfare programmes of the state Government to good use, Khan said the development of Muslims can be achieved only when the community shows the resolve to march ahead in life.