Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: State Government today claimed that nearly 5632 kanals and eight marlas of Wakaf land was under illegal occupation of Army, Government departments and other people in the J&K State.
While replying to the question of PDP member, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas in the Upper House today, Minister for Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri said that an area of Wakaf land measuring 5632 kanals and 8 marlas was under the un-authorised possession of Military and Para-military forces, Government departments and others.
The Revenue Minister further claimed that efforts are being utilised to retrieve the Wakaf property under un-authorised occupation.
“So far an area measuring 210 kanals and 10 marlas has been retrieved and it may be however, mentioned here that nearly 3300 kanals of Wakaf property is under un-authorised occupation of various Government departments and agencies,” Veeri disclosed.
“Regarding land under Defence and Paramilitary forces, the matter has already been taken up with the Home Ministry. The matter also been taken up with the other departments regarding vacation of land or pay user charges/ rent,” Veeri maintained.
He, however, said no Wakaf land has been leased out/rented out to any non-Muslim after the commencement of the Wakaf Act, 2001, said the Government.
On the question of Vibodh Gupta regarding leasing out land to non-Muslims, the Minister said like Dharmarth trust and Shrine Boards, non-Muslims have been accommodated or provided any Wakaf land/ property.
Manhas said he was satisfy with the reply, the Government at least can retrieve the land from Government departments. The PDP member expressed that he was not satisfy with the reply of the Government. The same and casual reply is given every time. He said last time also same reply was given. Is there any progress in the status, the Government must clear.
The Minister, however, claimed that more than 210 kanal land has been retrieved and Government was pursuing the matter with Defence and other departments.
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