‘Govt should immediately appoint full-time Waqf Board CEO’

The absence of a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Telangana State Waqf Board (TGSWB) has raised concerns among activists, an elected member and politicians over the Muslim endowments panel’s functioning.

Then CEO Mohammed Asadullah was recently repatriated to his parent department post a case in the Telangana High Court, following which a government order (GO) was issued to this effect.

Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek, said that the absence of a CEO has dealt a body blow to day-to-day working of the TGSWB, including crucial functions of enforcement and protection.

He sought to know the stand of the Congress government in Telangana, which, on the one hand was at the forefront of opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament, vis-a-vis the implementation of the Act. “It is as if the Act is being implemented in Telangana, which is shocking,” he said. Congress leader Osman al Hajiri who has been working for waqf protection raised similar concerns.

Meanwhile, TGSWB member Syed Abul Fateh Bandagi Badesha Quadri also apprehended that the Act ‘was gradually and quietly being implemented’ in the State. He said that the role of the CEO entailed convening board meetings, taking steps to protect waqf properties and dealing with encroachments by engaging with revenue officials and police. He also said that the TGSWB has been grappling with scores of cases in courts of law, including those at the Tribunal, Telangana High Court and Supreme Court.