The Karnataka State Minorities Commission will resurvey the properties controlled by Karnataka Wakf Board (KWB) and clear encroachments, if any, said commission’s chairperson Balqees Banu.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, she said the state government had rejected the report submitted by former chairperson Anwar Manippady on illegal allocation of Wakf properties across the state and misappropriation, as it was “politically motivated.”
“We will not spare any encroachers, no matter how mighty and influential they are. If land is allocated for educational purpose, we will ask the government to make relaxation in such cases,” she said.
Ms. Banu said that that the commission would organise awareness programmes among minority communities about the welfare programmes. “These programmes are aimed at inculcating preliminary awareness and knowledge about the welfare schemes for all minority communities, including Jains, Parsis, Christians and Muslims, so that they are aware of the benefits they are entitled to,” she said. She pointed out that nearly 60 per cent of funds reserved for minority communities usually go to the Muslim community, as their population is relatively more than the other minority communities. “The remaining 40 per cent of funds for other minority groups is justified as it is proportionate to their population," she added.
Ms. Banu said the commission may also explore the possibility of offering reservations to those from minorities in tenders for various projects and programmes for minority welfare, similar to the government’s decision to do the same for those belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
