KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Minister for Hajj, Auqaf and Horticulture, Abdul Rehman Veeri Thursday called for expediting recovery of rent arrears from various State, Central Government Departments and other agencies who are in occupation of Wakf land.
Chairing a high level meeting in Jammu today to discuss the issues pertaining to occupation of Wakf land by various government departments and other agencies, the Minister said the Government would initiate proceedings to get all such Wakf estates vacated, if the occupants fail to pay the rent arrears within the stipulated time. He said all such Wakf properties which are under illegal occupation would be retrieved and put to productive use, an official spokesperson said this evening.
The Minister took a strong note of the non-recovery of rent arrears and delay in disposal of rent assessment cases. He gave directions to the concerned to ensure speedy disposal of pending cases relating to the Wakf properties.
The meeting was informed that the Wakf land was being used by Education, PHE, Agriculture, Health, Home, Rural Development Departments, Defence, Railway and the Jammu and Kashmir Bank. It was also informed that the Education Department has recently released Rs 58 lakh on account of rent arrears.
Veeri directed the State Wakf Council to ensure proper fencing of Wakf land presently under the occupation of Sericulture Department in Marh area and submit a report in this regard within a month.
