Nazma: Waqf property data to be digitized in Patna

PATNA: Taking cue from PM Narendra Modi’s advice that the records of Waqf property in the country should be updated, Union minority welfare minister Nazma Heptullah said on Thursday that her department is pursuing it hard, putting emphasis on the registration and digitization of Waqf property.
Heptullah was here to discuss with the state government the implementation of Union government’s programmes and schemes meant for the welfare and uplift of all minority sections, including Muslims who constitute the largest segment of population from among the minority groups, as well as matters related to Waqf property with the Muslim clerics.The ministry officials held talks with their Bihar counterpart.
“The stress of our department is also on the registration and digitization of Waqf property. If properly developed, the revenue earned from this property can be used for educational and economic uplift of the Muslims,” she said.
Heptullah, who also had on her itinerary interaction with Muslim clerics here, said the Waqf boards of the Sunni and Shia Muslim groups in the country have a huge chunk of landed property. As per records, the Waqf property is to the tune of 6 lakh acres in the country.
Citing the Rajinder Sachar Committee report, constituted in 2005 by the then PM Manmohan Singh, Heptullah said this property has been yielding an annual revenue of Rs 12,000 crore. “The reading of PM Modi is that if the Waqf land is developed and properly utilized, it can yield annual revenue of Rs 25,000 crore. The amount so earned can be used and spent on skill development, community development and welfare of Muslims in the country,” she said.