Hyderabad: Many prominent Muslim personalities are competing to become members of the Telangana State Wakf Board as membership provides scope for lucrative ‘backdoor’ income, privileges and protocol advantages. Elections are scheduled for January 10.
The Board has properties across the state and more particularly in Hyderabad worth hundreds of crores. Though the Board receives meagre income, the unofficial income generated through these properties is a major factor for the competition for membership.
Sources said that there is every possibility for the member to make money right from the issuance of marriage certificate, transfer of tenancy or lease rights to transfer successorship of mutawallis.
Section 63 of the Wakf Act empowers the Boa-rd to appoint mutawallis to the managing committees of Wakf institutions. It was an open secret that money — about Rs 1 lakh — chan-ges hands in appointment of each mutawalli.
Mr Iliyas Shamshi, president of Reformist Front of India, said persons running Wakf institutions try hard to acquire a berth on the board as it would help in protecting the interests of Wakf institutions which are in their control.
He said, “Once such persons get a berth, people generally fear to lodge complaints against them though there are glaring irregularities in the institutions run by them. Even if complaints are lodged against them, they have every opportunity to hush up such complaints.”
Mr M.K. Hasan, a Wakf activist, recalled that about two years ago the special officer of the erstwhile AP Wakf Board cracked the whip against several muta-wallis including one in the city for allegedly selling Wakf land.
He said, “As per the Wakf Act, the Board has the power to lease out the properties by fixing the annual or monthly rental. Board members play a key role in fixing rentals. The rental rate always depends on the understanding between the members and the lease holders.”
Mr Mohammed Faruque, chief patron of Shaheen Society, which works for the uplift of Muslim women and protection of Wakf properties, said that as per protocol, Board members were entitled to get invitations for official functions and they used the opportunity to lobby.
