In a major decision, the state government is planning a law to restore illegally sold wakf land to the Maharashtra State Wakf Board.
In a major decision, the state government is planning a law to restore illegally sold wakf land to the Maharashtra State Wakf Board.
Revenue minister Eknath Khadse, who is also the state minority development minister, told dna that they were planning a law to restore these alienated religious endowments to the board. "The wakf laws provide that these lands cannot be sold. But, transactions have happened on these lands and they have been sold," said Khadse, adding that hence they were planning a law to restore these lands. This will be on grounds of a similar law which provides for restoring land sold by tribals to non-tribals.
State government statistics suggest that Maharashtra has around 93,418 acre of wakf land spread over 23,566 registered properties, with the maximum land parcels in Aurangabad division, which was part of the dominion of the Nizam of Hyderabad. However, a task force under the principal secretary (revenue) had pointed out that around 70% of these properties — most of which are prime properties — were under illegal occupation, had been encroached upon or were transferred.
The inquiry commission probing irregularities in management of Wakf lands, which submitted its report to the state legislature during the budget session, had indicted officials and politicians for encroachments on these Muslim endowments and their illegal transfer, development and creation of third-party rights.
Wakf means the permanent dedication by a person professing Islam, of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable. The institution of wakf in India is 800 years old. It began when Muslim rulers donated huge land parcels for charity.
Khadse said that a proposal has been sent to the revenue department for barring sale, transfer or transactions on wakf lands. Henceforth, these lands can only be leased out.
Foundation course in Marathi
To ensure mainstreaming of minority students, the state will start a foundation course in Marathi for students in non-Marathi schools. This will be done in classes XIII, IX and X. For the first time in the state, to increase the number of Muslim students opting for education in Marathi schools, Urdu will be part of the optional list of third languages. These two facilities will be optional.
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