Jammu : Minister for Hajj and Auqaf, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi inspected the ongoing works of Jamia Masjid Talab Khatikan and Auqaf Shopping Complex cum Office complex at Residency road.
Commissioner Secretary Haj and Auqaf Mr. Muhammad Afzal Bhat and other senior officers of Haj and Auqaf accompanied the Minister.
During the inspection Minister was apprised by the Auqaf authorities that the historical Jamia Masjid at Talab Khatikan is under construction at an estimated cost of Rs 27.90 crore. He was informed that the Auqaf Department has provided Rs 5.31 crore for the construction while as the Masjid Committee has raised an amount of Rs 2.11 crore for the purpose.
He was also informed that the super structure of the Jamia Masjid has been completed while as the work on the dome is in progress. The mosque has three floors and after completion would provide prayer facilities to over 12.50 thousand people at a time. The mosque also has parking facility and other allied facilities, the Minister was informed.
The Minister during his interaction with the members of Jamia Masjid committee said that Auqaf will provide all possible assistance for completion of the mosque and added that the people should also come forward and donate whole heartedly for this endeavor. He announced Rs 10 lakhs for expediting the ongoing works.
During his visit to the shopping complex project being executed on private public partnership mode at an estimated cost of Rs 23 crore the Minister was apprised that the project is expected to be completed by end of this fiscal.
The Minister was informed that the complex which is spread on 78000 sft area would have 89 shops and 12 offices besides it would have parking facility for 100 vehicles in its basement. He was further informed that after completion of the Complex, Auqaf Department would generate recurring income of Rs 40 to 60 lakh per month.
The Minister instructed the concerned executing agency to accelerate their efforts for time bound completion of the project adding that this would help the organisation in generating income besides providing employment opportunities to the youth.
The Minister directed the concerned officers to regularly monitor the execution of these projects for ensuring use of quality material and their time bound completion.
The Minister called upon the concerned to work with missionary zeal to protect the property and use the same to create more assets for improving revenue returns. Wakf is both a department and a religious organisation and stress should be on utilizing its assists for the welfare of community, he said.
Laying stress on improving facilities and overall ambiance, the Minister directed the concerned authorities to devise a mechanism which will facilitate the devotees visiting the holy shrines. He said the caretakers should ensure that shrine properties are taken good care of, especially vis-a-vis wuzu khanas and landscaping of shrine premises.
Mr. Andrabi visited Ziarat Hazrat Peer Roshan Wali Shah (RA) at Upper Gummat and took stock of the facilities being provided to the devotees there. He paid obeisance at the Ziarat and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state .
The Minister announced Rs 5 lakh for installing air conditioners in Jamia Masjid besides some minor repairs and renovations.
Earlier, the Minister also visited Masjid Umar Rail Head and announced providing Rs 5 lakh for construction of Wuzu Khannas in the premises so that the people do not face inconvenience during summers.
He also chaired a meeting of Haj and Auqaf Department and took stock of overall functioning of the Department. The Minister asked the Auqaf authorities to adopt innovative measures so that its assets are used in an optimum and gainful manner.
Administrators of Auqaf Islamia of Jammu Division were present in the meeting. (PTK)
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