Andhra Pradesh's NDA Administration Disbands Waqf Board

Amaravati, Dec 1 (NationPress) The NDA administration under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh has officially disbanded the State Waqf Board that was appointed by the preceding government.

On Saturday (November 30), the Minorities Welfare Department issued a Government Order, revoking the order that was issued in October of the previous year, which established the Waqf Board.

The prior government of the YSR Congress Party had formed the 11-member Waqf Board following a directive from the High Court. Among these members, three were elected while the rest were appointed.

Following a petition that contested the formation process of the Waqf Board, the Andhra Pradesh High Court issued a stay on November 1, 2023, concerning the chairperson's election for the State Waqf Board.

The Government Order number 75, published on Saturday, notes that the Chief Executive Officer of the Waqf Board alerted the government to the ongoing inactivity of the Board and the pending writ petitions regarding the legitimacy of G.O. Ms. No. 47, aimed at resolving the legal disputes and preventing an administrative gap.

In the recent Government Order, Minorities Welfare Department Secretary Kati Harshvardhan mentioned that after thorough evaluation of the High Court's remarks and in the interest of ensuring effective governance, safeguarding Waqf properties, and guaranteeing the seamless operation of the Waqf Board, the government is hereby withdrawing G.O. Ms. No. 47 dated 21.10.2023, effective immediately.

Meanwhile, Minister for Minority Welfare N. Md. Farooq stated that the coalition government rescinded the order issued by the former administration. He noted that following challenges from certain individuals to the nomination of Waqf Board members, the High Court had issued interim orders to halt the election of the chairperson.

The minister indicated that due to legal complications, there was a void in the Waqf Board's operations and to address this, the coalition government has issued a new Government Order, revoking the previous one.

“The coalition government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is dedicated to the conservation and management of Waqf properties and the advancement of minority welfare. The government is proactively taking measures in this regard,” Farooq stated.

In September, the coalition government appointed TDP leader Shaik Abdul Aziz as the chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board.

Abdul Aziz, a former Mayor of Nellore, is currently the TDP president for the Nellore parliamentary constituency.

The disbanding of the Waqf Board established by the prior government may facilitate the formation of a new Board led by Abdul Aziz.