Hyderabad: Though Rs 80 lakh were sanctioned to renovate ashoorkhanas in Telangana in 2016, the money is yet be released. The funds are currently stuck for clearance at the district zonal offices and in civic houses.
There are 11,000 ashoorkhanas under the Wakf Board. More than 7,000 of them need repairs. The All India Shia Organisation stated that ashoorkhanas require repairs as many of them are in a dilapidated condition.
Mr Mir Hadi Ali, president of the organisation, said, “Last year, the money was sanctioned, But the money has not come. Condition of ashoorkhanas continues to be the same. Moharram starts from September 19.”
A senior member of the community said, “For the past eight years, a meeting is held two days before Moharram and after that there is cleaning work. That is not enough. The buildings need to be maintained. When community members come forward, the government denies permission. We are asking for repairs to protect the structure and to preserve its identity.”
Community members asked the government to come out with a year long programme to preserve ashoorkhanas.
