(a) the functioning of Central Waqf Board/Council in the country;
(b) the functioning of Haj Committee of the country; and
(c) the steps taken by the Ministry for funding/ grants/scholarships of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir?
MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)
(a) Central Waqf Council (CWC) is an advisory body to the Central Government, State Governments and the State Waqf Boards on the issues of due administration of Auqaf and working of the Waqf Boards. It may also issue directives to the Waqf Boards under Section 9 (4) of the Waqf Act, 1995 as amended. Besides, it is implementing some schemes of the Government relating to Waqfs. The brief details of functioning of CWC are as under:-
( i) to oversee the functioning of the State Waqf Boards to ensure its effective operations;
(ii) to issue directives to the State Waqf Boards on their financial performance, survey maintenance of Waqf deeds, revenue records, encroachment of waqf properties, annual report and audit report;
( iii) to advise Central Government, State Governments, State Waqf Boards on matters concerning the working of the Boards and due administration of Auqaf;
( iv) to implement the Scheme of Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana to extend interest free loan to Waqf Institutions/Waqf Boards to develop commercially viable waqf properties;
(v) to implement the Qaumi waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme for further disbursement of funds among State/UT Waqf Boards (SWBs) for computerization & digitization of records of waqf properties, efficient administration of Waqf Boards;
(vi) To seek information from the State Governments/Waqf Boards on the performance of the State Waqf Boards under Section 9 (4) of the Waqf Act, 1995 as amended;
(b) As per the Haj Committee Act, 2002, the functions and duties of Haj Committee is as follows:
(i) to collect and disseminate information useful to pilgrims, and to arrange orientation and training programmes for pilgrims;
(ii) to advise and assist pilgrims during their stay at the embarkation points in India, while proceeding to or returning from pilgrimage, in all matters including vaccination, inoculation, medical inspection, issue of pilgrim passes and foreign exchange, and to liaise with the local authorities concerned in such matters;
(iii) to give relief to pilgrims in distress;
(iv) to finalise the annual Haj Plan with the approval of the Central Government, and execute the plan, including the arrangements for travel by air or any other means, and to advise in matters relating to accommodations;
(v) to approve the budget estimates of the Committee and submit it to the Central Government at least three months before the beginning of the financial year for its concurrence;
(vi) to co-ordinate with the Central Government, railways, airways and travel agencies for the purpose of securing travelling facilities for pilgrims;
(vii) to publish such proceedings of the Committee and such matters of interest to pilgrims as may be determined by bye-laws made in this behalf by the Committee;
(viii) to discharge such other duties in connection with Haj as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(c) No grants/funds/Scholarships have been released to the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir under any scheme of the Ministry.
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