Date:04/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/04/stories/2005030402511705.htm

Back Wakf lands `encroached' in AP

Our Bureau

HYDERABAD: Large extents of the Wakf lands spread across Andhra Pradesh have been encroached.

According to the Minister for Minorities Welfare, Mr Mohd Fariduddin, an extent of 81,595 acres of land out of 1.45 lakh acres belonging to 35,703 Wakf institutions in the State have been encroached so far.

Replying to a question during the question hour in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the Minister said that the estimated value of Wakf properties in the State was Rs 36,000 crore.

He assured the members that recommendations of the two House Committees that examined the Wakf properties in 1997 and 1999 would be implemented in six months. He would also explore the possibility of reclaiming the encroached lands as demanded by the members.