JAMMU: J&K government on Wednesday revealed to the state assembly that it is providing financial assistance for repair and construction of the mosques. In last two years, it has provided a sum of Rs 1.20 crore for repair or construction of 168 mosques across the state, mostly in Kashmir.
Kashmir region is the most benefited. In 2015-16, financial assistance was provided to 52 mosques and it cost the state exchequer Rs 28.40 lakh. In 2016-17, an amount of Rs 22.70 lakh was booked as help to 40 mosques.
Jammu also had some help. In 2015-16, it was Rs 16.55 lakh that was sanctioned and granted in favour of 39 mosques. In the last financial year, a sum of Rs 52.30 lakh was granted in 37 cases, the detailed revealed.
The state Revenue Ministry said no Imam, Khateeb or a Molvi is being paid from the state’s Consolidated Fund. However, in Jammu region, the Auqaf is paying a sum of Rs 1.07 crore to various such functionaries from its own sources. In Kashmir, the Auqaf is also making payments to the Imams and other religious functionaries from its won sources. But details were not provided.
The information was revealed in resins to a cut motion that Congress lawmaker Mohammad Amin Bhat asked during the discussion on the Revenue Ministry allocations. Officials aware of the developments said that these assistance are usually extended to the community in case of climatic cases and other calamities.
This information, revealed perhaps for the first time, suggest that the state government is helping building mosques as well. Earlier, it was known that the funds from public kitty are being used in the repair and renovation of the shrines. In certain areas, the state tourism ministry has invested in construction of mosques as well.
At one point of time even the Armed Forces had started white-washing certain shrines as part of its Operation Sadhbhavana. It was stopped after it was criticised by the clergy.
