Bihar

• 14 Aug 2024

Multipurpose Buildings on Waqf Board Land

Why in News?

The government of Bihar is making preparations to construct multipurpose buildings, wedding halls, market complexes and other structures to develop the properties that are registered under the Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards.

Key Points

• Ten projects had been proposed for construction of multi-purpose buildings, market complexes and libraries in Patna, Purnea, Kaimur, Katihar, Kishanganj, Nawada and Siwan in 2023-24.
• Under the Bihar Rajya Madarsa Sudridhikaran Yojana (BRMSY) the state government has also decided to set up 21 new madrasas in various parts of the state.
• Facilities such as drinking water, libraries, equipment, toilets and computer science labs are provided for strengthening the madrasa infrastructure.

Waqf Board

• A Waqf board is a legal entity capable of acquiring, holding and transferring property. It can sue and be sued in court.
• It administers Waqf properties, recovers lost properties and sanctions the transfer of immovable Waqf properties through sale, gift, mortgage, exchange, or lease, with at least two-thirds of the board members voting in favour of the transaction.
• The Central Waqf Council (CWC), established in 1964, oversees and advises state level Waqf Boards across India.
• Waqf Properties: The Waqf board is said to be the third-largest landholder in India after the Railways and the Defence department.
  • Currently, there are 8,72,292 registered Waqf properties spread across 8 lakh acres. These properties generate Rs 200 crore in revenue.
  • Once a property is designated as a Waqf, it becomes non-transferable and is detained perpetually as a charitable act toward God, essentially transferring ownership to God.