WAQF Board Chief's Wings Clipped, CEO Gets Cheque Power
The decision was announced in a minority’s welfare department memo, citing powers under Section 97 of the Waqf Act, 1995: Reports
HYDERABAD: The state government has curtailed the powers of Telangana Waqf Board chairman Azmatullah and entrusted cheque authority to chief executive officer (CEO) Md. Asadullah, authorising him to disburse staff salaries amid an ongoing row between the two officials.
The decision was announced in a minority’s welfare department memo, citing powers under Section 97 of the Waqf Act, 1995. The order followed after the CEO expressed concern over staff salaries pending for the past couple of months.
The order allows Asadullah to disburse salaries for all categories of staff from existing funds and permits him to take action in legal matters to ensure smooth operations until further government orders.
Previously, cheques required signatures from both the chairman and the CEO. Disputes between them led to delays in clearance of salaries, including those of October and November, sources said. The order now directs the Assistant Secretary (establishment) to operate bank accounts jointly with the CEO’s signature solely for salary payments.
Waqf Board member Abul Fateh Bandagi Badesha Quadri welcomed the move, calling it an administrative reform. He noted that legal matters had collapsed due to lack of representation in court, with several cases lost in favour of land grabbers. “It is time for counsels to be reshuffled, and hereafter any legal lapse will be solely the CEO’s responsibility,” he said.
Further, ambiguity remains regarding the CEO’s own salary, with the matter referred to the board. Members expect clarity in the forthcoming board meeting.
