Demarcate, retrieve encroached Waqf land in a month: Govt to officials
Posted on Aug 25, 2021 | Author Junaid Kathju
Srinagar, Aug 24:
The government has fixed a one month timeline to remove all the encroachments of the Waqf properties in Jammu and Kashmir.
An order issued by Principal Secretary to the Government Shaleen Kabra said that there are a large number of Waqf properties which require demarcation or where encroachments have taken place.
“In the process of digitization and geo-tagging of Waqf properties, it has come to notice that there are a large number of properties which require demarcation or where encroachments have taken place,” the order said.
The order reads that the Tehsildar concerned shall organise verification and demarcation of each of the Waqf properties while associating a representative of the CEO Waqf Kashmir and special officer Auqaf.
“Specific focus shall be on those Waqf properties that could not be geo-tagged, with reference to the data uploaded on the Waqf Management System of India (WAMSI) portal,” it said.
The order said that the Deputy Commissioner shall constitute teams for 100 percent cross-checking of the demarcation and encroachment reports.
“The necessary entries of Waqf properties in revenue records shall also be made,” the order reads.
“The Deputy Commissioners will send reports along with copies of relevant records to the CEO Waqf Kashmir, special officer Auqaf who shall certify that the properties have been verified as per the records and duly reconciled with the revenue records and undertake digitization, geo- tagging of the properties and details on the WAMSI portal,” the order said.
The order said that the divisional commissioners shall monitor the progress and ensure that the entire exercise is completed within a period of one month.
According to previous government record, around 800 acres (6,300 kanals) of land belonging to the Waqf board has been encroached by various individuals and government organisations in the region.