SRINAGAR: The Government of India has provided a comprehensive overview of Waqf properties in the country, revealing that a total of 8,72,352 Waqf properties have been registered under the Waqf Act of 1954 and the subsequent Waqf Act of 1995.
These properties, which include both immovable and movable assets, are managed by the State Waqf Boards (SWBs), with general superintendence vested in these boards. According to the data available on the Waqf Assets Management System of India (WAMSI) portal, the properties include 8,72,352 immovable assets and 16,713 movable ones.
The information provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs also highlights the state-wise distribution of Waqf properties across India. States like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu have the highest number of Waqf properties, with Gujarat alone reporting 39,940 immovable properties and 5,418 movable properties. Uttar Pradesh (Sunni) follows closely with 217,161 immovable properties. Kerala and Karnataka also report significant numbers, with 53,297 and 62,830 immovable properties respectively.
Jammu and Kashmir has 32,533 immovable properties and 10 properties have been alienated. Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra report numbers in the range of thousands for immovable properties, with some also having a few movable assets.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the unlawful alienation of Waqf properties, a practice that is prohibited under the Waqf Act. The Act declares any sale, gift, exchange, mortgage, or transfer of Waqf property as void. Despite these legal protections, the data shows that 994 Waqf properties have been reported as alienated across various states. States like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir have reported alienated properties, with Tamil Nadu alone showing 734 alienated Waqf properties.
The government has outlined measures to address this issue, with the Waqf Boards empowered to initiate actions to recover alienated properties. If a property is found to have been unlawfully alienated, the Board can send a requisition to the local collector to take possession and return the property to the Board. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to safeguard Waqf properties, which play a significant role in supporting the welfare of minority communities in India.
In conclusion, the total number of Waqf properties across the country stands at 8,72,352, with a notable portion still facing challenges related to alienation. The government is actively working on recovering these properties and strengthening the oversight mechanisms to ensure their protection and proper management.
