Mumbai, Jan 30 (NationPress) Maharashtra Minister for Minorities Development & Aukaf, Dattatray Bharane has announced plans to commence the Geo-mapping of properties and lands governed by the state Waqf Board shortly. This initiative emerges as the parliamentary panel prepares to endorse the report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill despite opposition resistance.

The Maharashtra government's move targets illegal occupants of the unmonitored and widely distributed lands throughout the state. The Minister has instructed the department to initiate the Geo-mapping survey of these properties promptly to ascertain their current status.

According to a department source, "Geo-mapping will yield precise official data regarding the number of Waqf properties in Maharashtra and the degree of encroachment, ultimately curbing illegal occupations. Various entities and political factions, including the Maharashtra Waqf Board, have asserted that there are 23,566 registered Waqf properties in the state, covering a total area of 37,330 hectares. In contrast, the estimates from the Minorities Department suggest approximately 27,000 Waqf properties spanning 40,468 hectares. Geo-mapping will address these data discrepancies and facilitate accurate property registration."

A previous survey of Waqf properties took place in 1997 through physical inspections, yielding rough estimates. Of these properties, around 60 to 70 percent are believed to be encroached upon, with thousands under legal disputes.

The department source indicated that numerous illegal encroachments on Waqf properties have been identified. Nonetheless, due to data inconsistencies, no actions were taken to rectify the situation. “Now, geo-mapping technology will clarify property ownership and encroachments, providing the government with official information. There remains ambiguity regarding the precise number of Waqf properties in the state, including their intended uses and the rental rates being charged for these lands,” the source elaborated.

The Mahayuti Minister stated that Geo-mapping will expose unlawful possessions, enabling the government to undertake necessary actions thereafter.

The decision from the Minorities Development comes at a crucial moment when the parliamentary panel has approved 14 amendments suggested by NDA MPs, while rejecting 44 proposed by the Opposition. Reportedly, all 44 amendments from the Opposition were against the prospective changes to the Waqf Act of 2013.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)