MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF WAQFS, HEAD OFFICE AT PANCHAKKI, AURANGABAD FORMED UNDER GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA, MINORITIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MANTRALAYA, MUMBAI-32

Waqf Act 1995 has been enforced throughout the State of Maharashtra with effect from 1-1-1996. The Government of Maharashtra has established Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs vide its notification dated 4-1-2002 under section 14(3) of Waqf Act 1995, modifications has been done from time to time for appointment of new members by following due procedure of Law as per Rules. Prior to this implementation there was Marathwada Waqf Board, it was regional Waqf Board limited to the extent of Marathwada only and in the rest of Maharashtra Waqf properties were administered by the Charity Commissioner under Bombay Public Trust Act 1950. After implementation of the Waqf Act 1995 the responsibility of the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs has been enhanced to the extent of Maharashtra. The object of the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs is to protect the Waqf Institutions and its properties scattered throughout the State. Administration of the said Waqf Institutions is carried out through Mutwallies, Managing Committees, Trustees & Adhoc Bodies and direct management as per Waqf Act 1995. The Government of Maharashtra has issued notification for Survey of Waqf properties in the year 1997, which was completed in the year 2002 and Government of Maharashtra, forwarded the same to the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs for its approval and same was approved and published in the Government Gazette. Government of Maharashtra has sanctioned Grants in aid to the tune of Rs. 15 Crores for strengthening of Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs in the meeting called by Honourable Dy. Chief Minister on dated 25-8-2011; issue is pending with Planning & Finance Department. As other State Governments are giving Grants in aid to their respective Waqf Boards. Government of Maharashtra has granted permission for appointment of additional Staff for efficient functioning of the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs; same shall be done on release of Government Grants in aid. Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs has prepared Recruitment Rules and submitted to the Government of Maharashtra, same is under consideration.

AIMS AND OBJECT OF THE MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF WAQFS:

1. Protection of Waqf properties:

The main object of constitution of Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs is to protect the Muslim Waqf Institutions and its properties, for this purpose Regional & District Waqf Officers has been appointed.

2. Development of Waqf properties:

As per section 32 and section 51 of the Waqf Act 1995, the Board is competent to develop its Waqf properties scattered all over the State of Maharashtra, as per procedure laid down in the Waqf Rules 2003.

3. Administration of Waqf:

The Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs has established Managing Committees under section 18, Adhoc Committees under section 69 of the Waqf Act 1995 and appointed Mutwallies under section 63. Direct administration of Waqf Institutions and its properties is done under section 65 of the Waqf Act 1995 and change reports of the Trustees / Mutwallies are done under section 42 of the Waqf Act 1995. Procedure is laid down in Waqf Rules 2003 and as per Rules Board is competent to initiate action by following due procedure of Law.

4. Registration of Waqf Institutions and its properties:

As per section 36 of the Waqf Act 1995 the Board is competent enough to Register Waqf Institutions and its properties as per the proforma of application prepared by the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs available in the Office of Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs, Aurangabad. As per section 37 of the Waqf Act 1995 the Registration record is preserved in shape of Waqf Register. Addition of any particular Waqf properties is being done by the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs under section 40 & 41 of the Waqf Act 1995. If any dispute arises for its redressal all the cases are being dealt by the Chief Executive Officer, Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs, Aurangabad. If any party aggrieved from any order of the Board, has right to challenge it in Waqf Tribunal under section 83 of the Waqf Act 1995.