UPSC Articles
Quami Waqf Boards Taraqqiati Scheme
Part of: Prelims and GS-II Policies and interventions
Context: The deadline for “Quami Waqf Boards Taraqqiati Scheme” has been revised from March 2022 to November 2023.
Key takeaways
- Under the scheme, all Waqf properties are to be geotagged.
- It began in 2017.
- Ministry: Union Ministry of Minority Affairs
- The scheme was envisaged on the basis of recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
- The government wanted to map the immovable assets under the Waqf boards, to ensure its proper utilisation and monetisation.
- The exercise is also aimed at ensuring that these properties are not lost to encroachments and counter ownership claims.
- According to estimates, there are over six lakh Waqf properties, out of which, in the last five years, 2 lakh properties have been geotagged.
Important value additions
- A waqf (also known as wakf or hubous) is an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law.
- It typically involves donating a building, plot of land or other assets for Muslim religious or charitable purposes with no intention of reclaiming the assets.
- The state waqf boards were established by the state governments in view of the provisions of Section 9(1) of the Wakf Act, 1954.
- India also has a Central Waqf Council to advise the government “on matters concerning the working of boards and the due administration of waqfs.”
News Source: TH
