NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government on Friday withdrew its earlier order granting an additional funding of Rs 10 crore to the Waqf board. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that it was not it was not appropriate for the administration to issue a GR disbursing funds to the Waqf Board when a caretaker government was in place. He said that after a new government is formed the matter will be investigated.
A government resolution (GR) issued on Thursday allocated Rs 20 crore for the strengthening of the Maharashtra State Waqf Board in 2024-25, with Rs 2 crore already disbursed. The Chief Executive Officer of the Board has been instructed to ensure that the expenditure remains within the prescribed norms.
The Maharashtra BJP, clarified that the decision was made by administrative officers and stated that the GR had been scrapped following strong opposition from the BJP. The party reiterated its stance that the Waqf Board has no place in the Constitution.
“Fake news that the BJP-Mahayuti government has given funds of 10 crores to the Maharashtra Waqf Board immediately is spreading. This wrong decision was taken mutually by the officials at the administrative level. But this decision has now been canceled after strong opposition from BJP leaders,” BJP Maharashtra said in a post on X.
Following the recent state assembly elections, in which the BJP secured 132 seats, the Shiv Sena 57, and the NCP 41, the BJP opposed the GR, asserting that it was an administrative decision.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, which aims to reform Waqf property management, is on the government’s agenda. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the bill has held several meetings, with over 146 organisations and nearly 95 lakh suggestions received.