New Delhi: Chaudhari Mateen Ahmad, 4-time MLA from Seelampur constituency who was elected the new chairman of Delhi Waqf Board on 3rd January said after taking over his new assignment that his first priority would be to get illegal occupations of Waqf properties vacated and improve its financial condition by developing its properties and augmenting advertisement income etc. He said that Waqf properties mainly consist of mosques, dargahs, graveyards etc. in which there is not much scope of development nor are there possibilities of getting any income but it (income) will be generated by allowing advertisements and hoardings etc. on other Waqf properties and tenancy transfers, vacating of encroached lands. He said that last time when he was the chairman of this Board, income from these sources to the tune of about Rs. 7 crores were generated. Since the rents charged on Waqf properties are very low, Delhi government will be requested to exempt Waqf properties from Rent Control Act. Also, after tenancy transfers, higher rents will be charged from new tenants. In reply to a question about the disputed land at No. 142, Rouse Avenue (now Deen Dayal Upadhya Marg), he said that it is a graveyard land which is under Waqf Board but its ownership lies with Land and Development Board. We shall therefore demand that this land be handed over to Delhi Waqf Board which is its rightful owner. He said that we have a plan to build a multi-storeyed building on this plot where Waqf Board’s own office as well as offices of Delhi Haj Committee, Urs Committee, Urdu Academy etc. could be accommodated at one place.

About its expenses and welfare activities he said that previous activities like assistance to the poor and widows etc. will continue but in addition to these, Waqf will provide scholarships to a large number of students for pursuing higher and technical education in the fields of computers. He said that advertisement rates on Waqf lands and properties would also be increased as many of Waqf properties are located at strategic places. New tenders will be floated to maximise income from this source. He said that encroached lands and properties will be got vacated and these will generate additional income. He said that many residential accommodations also have come up on Waqf lands and in that case we have no plans to evict them but will charge them higher rents on a mutually agreed basis. He said that one such place is Qurene in Bawana where about 500 multi-storeyed residential accommodations have been built on Waqf land. We would like these people to pay rent to the Waqf Board.

He said that additional income generated by these methods will be primarily used on education and increasing avenues of employment. Scholarships will also be given to promising and meritorious students to encourage them to take up further studies in computer and other technical and advanced courses which would ensure better employment opportunities to the youth of the community. He said that Delhi Waqf Board would also propose setting up of a finance arm on the lines of Minority Finance Corporation that will help people in setting up business and industries on a small scale by providing financial help. He said that all these steps will be helpful in creating self employment to the entrepreneurs and jobs to other people.