Balkish Banu, chairperson of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission, has said that a proper probe will be conducted into the alleged encroachment of wakf properties in the State.
According to an estimate, of the 2-lakh acres wakf land in Karnataka, more than 50,000 acres had been encroached. There were allegations that some influential politicians were involved in the encroachment. The commission would take stern steps, including legal action, to reclaim the encroached properties, she said at a press conference at Bhadravati on Thursday.
The commission would initiate measures to provide amenities for Haj pilgrims. The government had earmarked adequate funds in the budget for the construction of Haj House at Bangalore. The construction would be completed expeditiously, she said.
It had come to the notice of the commission that the rate of school dropouts among girls belonging to minority communities was high. The girls who remained out of school would end up being child labourers for a paltry wage. The commission would hold a meeting with Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar over the issue and request him to ensure continuity in the education of girls belonging to the minority communities, she said.
The commission would ensure proper implementation of the Prime Minister's 15-point programme for the welfare of religious minorities. The meetings to review the progress of implementation of these programmes would be held in all the districts, regularly. The commission would create awareness among the officials on the importance of these programmes, she said.
The Congress functionaries C.M. Khader, Syed Wahid Addu and Bhadravati tahshildar D.K. Ramachandrappa were present.
