New committees will ensure assets create income
SRINAGAR: In a significant move aimed at making Wakaf properties productive assets, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today framed several internal Committees within the newly-constituted J&K Wakaf Board that have been tasked to recommend steps to be taken for improving the functioning of education and health institutions under its control. The Committees have been asked to survey and submit its findings in the next Board of Directors meeting of J&K Wakaf Board, to be convened shortly.
The Chief Minister also asked J&K Wakaf Board to make elaborate arrangements, especially at Asar-e-Sharief, Hazratbal, for devotees on the auspicious occasions of Shab-e-Qadr, Juma-tul-Vida and Eid-ul-Fitr, being observed next week.
The Chief Minister took these decisions while chairing the 19th meeting of the Board of Directors of J&K Wakaf Board, here today.
During the meeting, Peer Mohammad Hussain, who was earlier nominated as Vice Chairman (VC), was today formally elected as the VC of J&K Wakaf Board.
Besides Minister for Horticulture, Haj & Auqaf, A. R. Veeri, Vice Chairman, J&K Wakaf Board, Peer Mohammad Hussain, the other Members who attended the meeting included Mufti Bashir Ahmad Farooqui, Maulana Showkat Keng, Azhar-ul-Amin, Gh. Hassan Shah, Khalid Muzaffar, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Nehvi and s. Mian Altaf Sarwar.
Calling for rationalization of rentals for getting better revenue out of the invaluable Wakaf properties, Mufti Sayeed said J&K Wakaf Board will have to make new beginning to safeguard its assets and streamline functioning of its institutions. He said enhancement in internal revenue generation will help the Board to invest in improving the image of its education and health institutions so that they match the best institutes in the business.
While Dr. Bashir Ahmad Nehvi and s. Mian Altaf Sarwar will examine the steps required to be taken to streamline the educational institutions looked after by J&K Wakaf Board, Dr. Muzaffar has been assigned the role to improve the quality of education in various health institutions, including nursing colleges falling in the Boards jurisdiction, He will also examine the proposal for conversion of Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital in Anantnag into a nursing college.
Similarly, Ghulam Hassan Shah will submit a plan for best use of properties of J&K Wakaf Board in the horticulture sector.
Mufti Sayeed directed Azhar-ul-Amin to prepare a strategy to recover the outstanding on account of rentals pending with various departments.
On the instructions of Chief Minister, the Committee on education will also submit a report on up-gradation of Wakaf Board schools as Model Schools with focus on smart classrooms and modern teaching. It will also submit a structured plan to identify certain institutions as feeding schools for Islamic University of Science & Technology, Awantipora.
Amidst several decisions taken during the meeting, the Board of Directors also approved release of DA in favour of the employees of the J&K Wakaf Board.
Referring to the expansion plan of Asar-e-Sharief, Hazratbal, the Chief Minister said a detailed project will soon be prepared and submitted to the Central Government for improving the facilities, in particular, construction of multiple wuzu khanas and lavatory blocks, to facilitate the devotees.
On his visit to Asar-e-Sharief, Hazratbal, the Chief Minister had tasked the Tourism Department and Lakes & Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) to devise a plan for beautifying the Shrine premises, making streetlights functional and renovating the jetty area.