Lok Sabha Question No. 4288 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Functioning of Central Waqf Board/Council
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Hasnain Masoodi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4288 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2020

## FUNCTIONING OF CENTRAL WAQF BOARD/COUNCIL

## 4288. SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

- (a) the functioning of Central Waqf Board/Council in the country;
- (b) the functioning of Haj Committee of the country; and

(c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Ministry  for  funding/ grants/scholarships  of  Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a)   Central  Waqf  Council  (CWC)  is  an  advisory  body  to  the  Central  Government,  State Governments  and the State Waqf Boards on the issues of due administration of Auqaf and working of the Waqf Boards. It may also issue directives to the Waqf Boards under Section 9 (4)  of  the  Waqf  Act,  1995  as  amended.  Besides,  it  is  implementing  some    schemes  of  the Government relating to Waqfs. The brief details of functioning of  CWC are as under:-

- ( i)        to  oversee  the  functioning  of  the  State  Waqf  Boards  to  ensure  its  effective operations;

(ii)         to  issue  directives  to  the  State  Waqf  Boards  on  their  financial  performance, survey maintenance of Waqf deeds, revenue records, encroachment of waqf properties, annual report and audit report;

- ( iii)        to  advise  Central  Government,  State  Governments,  State  Waqf  Boards  on matters concerning the working of the Boards and due administration of Auqaf;
- ( iv)        to implement the Scheme of Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana to extend interest  free  loan  to  Waqf  Institutions/Waqf  Boards  to  develop  commercially  viable waqf properties;

(v)       to implement the Qaumi waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme for further disbursement of funds among State/UT Waqf Boards (SWBs) for computerization & digitization of records of waqf properties, efficient administration of Waqf Boards;

(vi)        To  seek  information  from  the  State  Governments/Waqf  Boards  on  the performance of the State Waqf Boards under Section 9 (4) of the Waqf Act, 1995 as amended;

(b) As per the Haj Committee Act, 2002, the functions and duties of Haj Committee is as follows:

(i) to  collect  and  disseminate  information  useful  to  pilgrims,  and  to  arrange orientation and training programmes for pilgrims;

(ii) to  advise  and  assist  pilgrims  during  their  stay  at  the  embarkation  points  in India,  while  proceeding  to  or  returning  from  pilgrimage,  in  all  matters  including vaccination,  inoculation,  medical  inspection,  issue  of  pilgrim  passes  and  foreign exchange, and to liaise with the local authorities concerned in such matters;

(iii) to give relief to pilgrims in distress;

(iv) to finalise the annual Haj Plan with the approval of the Central Government, and execute the plan, including the arrangements for travel by air or any other means, and to advise in matters relating to accommodations;

(v) to approve the budget estimates of the Committee and submit it to the Central Government  at  least  three  months  before  the  beginning  of  the  financial  year  for  its concurrence;

(vi) to  co-ordinate  with  the    Central  Government,  railways,  airways  and  travel agencies for the purpose of securing travelling facilities for pilgrims;

(vii) to publish such proceedings of the Committee and such matters of interest to pilgrims as may be determined by bye-laws made in this behalf by the Committee;

(viii) to discharge such other duties in connection with Haj as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(c) No  grants/funds/Scholarships    have  been  released  to  the Islamic  University  of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir under any scheme of the Ministry.

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