Malakpet Mosque Faces Darkness Over Rs 2 Lakh Power Bill
The outstanding amount has been attributed to the approach of mosque staff and the Waqf inspector, who failed to share the bills with the Waqf Board, which is responsible for payments: Reports
HYDERABAD: With outstanding power bill of around ₹2 lakh, the Masjid-e-Mohiuddin Unnisa Begum in Malakpet faces the looming threat disconnection of electricity.
One of the biggest mosques in the twin cities under the Telangana Waqf Board, Masjid-e-Mohiuddin Unnisa Begum has accumulated dues of ₹1,98,815. The deadline to clear the November bill ended on Saturday. The arrears have been piling up for two years, with the last part payment made in February.
The outstanding amount has been attributed to the approach of mosque staff and the Waqf inspector, who failed to share the bills with the Waqf Board, which is responsible for payments.
While mosque staff said they had raised the issue with Board officials—who in turn spoke to the southern discom authorities and assured payment—the Waqf Board maintained that it had not received any power bills from either the inspector or the mosque staff.
Waqf activists alleged that the Waqf inspector, rent collector, and mouzzan of the mosque were responsible for the lapse. They urged minority welfare minister Mohammed Azharuddin to visit the Waqf Board at least once a week to improve its functioning.
Waqf activist Md. Hebeebuddin pointed out that apart from income and donations from mosque properties, worshippers extend financial assistance during Ramzan and on regular days. “Even after such assistance, I wonder how the current bill reached nearly ₹2 lakh,” he said.
Waqf Board member Syed Bandhagi Badesha Quadri said the issue must be probed, as the Board’s image is being damaged due to the failure of mosque staff and the inspector to share the bills. “We will initiate action against those responsible for the issue,” he added.
