The Waqf Board currently lacks clear information regarding encroachments on registered Waqf properties in Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the Minority Welfare Department to prepare a comprehensive report on the current status of these properties and submit it promptly. A review meeting of the Minority Welfare Department was held under the chairmanship of Special Secretary, Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate. During the meeting, he issued strict instructions regarding the timely registration and management of Waqf properties. He stated that the records of all Waqf properties must be mandatorily entered on the UMMID portal of the Government of India. He also directed that effective legal representation be ensured in all cases pending in courts, to prevent further encroachment on these properties.
Dehradun has the highest number of Waqf properties
The meeting revealed that Dehradun has the highest number of Waqf properties in the state, with 1930 properties registered. Haridwar has 1721, Udham Singh Nagar has 949, and Nainital has 457 registered Waqf properties. The fewest Waqf properties are located in the hill districts. These include 94 in Almora, 60 in Pauri, 128 in Tehri, 13 in Champawat, 2 in Bageshwar, and 2 in Rudraprayag. These properties comprise 1799 buildings, 1074 shops, 712 houses, 769 cemeteries, 725 mosques, and 203 madrasas. In addition, there are agricultural land, plots, schools, Imamabaras, hujras, dargahs, shrines, and other categories of property. So far, the authorities have cleared nine thousand acres of land of illegal encroachments on government properties. The meeting was attended by Syed Shiraz Usman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Waqf Board, Rajendra Kumar, Director of Minority Welfare, and Hira Singh Basera, the Deputy Secretary, along with other officials from relevant departments.
