Waqf chairman goes soft on irregularities by staff

HYDERABAD: Days after a report on what may be irregularities in recruitment of personnel at the Telangana State Waqf Board was submitted to the

House Committee

, it appears chairman Mohammed Saleem is unlikely to take action in the near future. At an administrative meeting Saleem had with officials on Wednesday, a visibly soft approach was adopted, as the issue of the questionable recruitment of dozens of relatives of those working at the board was not raised. While the subject of high salaries being paid to those with no educational qualifications was spoken about, it is unclear what actions the board is likely to take.

The report submitted to the House Committee listed at least 45 persons working in different capacities at the board who are related to one another. Several drivers, with no educational qualifications have been drawing over Rs 50,000 per month as salaries. A board employee, whose qualification was recorded as `SSC', has be en drawing a salary of around Rs 90,000 per month.

“These officials were appointed 20 or 25 years ago. The board knows several of its staff are incompetent or have indulged in wilful dereliction of duty. It is not possible to terminate their employment immediately ,“ said a

board member

who did not wish to be identified.

Mohammed Saleem has been chairman for the last 10 months. His claims of streamlining processes have fallen flat, given that the board acknowledged the presence of unqualified staff.

While that is the case, board member Syed Akbar Nizamuddin Hussaini who was at the meeting along with Saleem spoke about how several senior employees including superintendents have not been discharging their duties. “We are aware that some of these superintendents are not working the way they should. This is why, we will now be encouraging younger staff who are sincerely hard-working. They will be promoted to the assistant secretary ,“ Nizamuddin said.