ZAKIULLAH KHAN COMMITTEE

Key concepts:

• 'Wakf/Waqf:
  • Generous Muslims adhering to the principles of 'endowment' in Islam often dedicate large properties in the name of God. The proceeds from these properties are dedicated to meet the exclusive needs of the poor. This type of property is called 'Wakf'.
    
    
  • Apart from landed (often agricultural) and built up commercial and residential properties, Wakfs in India include Mosques, Dargahs, Khanqahs, Maqbaras, Idgahs, Anjumans and so on.
    
    
  
  
  
• Waakif: The person who so dedicates his or her property is known as Waakif.
  
  
• Mutawalli: The person nominated by the Waakif to manage the affairs of the Wakf property is known as Mutawalli.
  
  

Zakiullah Khan Committee:

• The recommendations of the committee will ensure that Waqf rules are made easy for better utilisation of Waqf properties and to free these properties from disputes.
  
  
• Union Government will take necessary action on the recommendations of the committee after examining the report.
  
  

Other steps taken wrt Waqf properties:

• Government will utilize Waqf properties for socio-economic empowerment of the needy sections of society. There are around 76 lakh registered waqf properties across the country.
  
  
• Central Government is awarding  Mutawallis (custodians) who are performing well in management of waqf properties to ensure their utilisation for betterment of people.
  
  
• The Central Waqf Council is providing financial help to state waqf boards for digitalisation of waqf records. 90 % waqf properties have already been digitised.
  
  
• Under “Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karykram (PMJVK)”, the Minority Affairs Ministry has constructed schools, colleges, ITIs, skill development centres, “Sadbhav Mandap”, “Hunar Hub”, hospitals, business centres etc on waqf properties across the country.
  
  
• A one-man “Board of Adjudication” at the Central level has been established under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court justice to deal with complaints and disputes regarding waqf properties.
  
  
• Three-member tribunals are being established in the states. About 23 states have established these tribunals so far.