Arya: Hold talks for removal of encroachments

Dehradun, November 22

Uttarakhand Minister for Department of Minority Affairs Yashpal Arya today asked officials to keep a close watch over the encroached property cases belonging to Wakf boards pending in courts by taking the views of experienced lawyers for their speedy disposal. Arya said that the government was facing difficulties due to long litigations on Wakf board properties and asked the officials to take the help of experienced lawyers and resort to dialogue where ever necessary for vacating the illegally held properties. There are a total of 2,063 properties registered with the Wakf Board.

Further, after receiving flak for failing to make arrangements for constructing toilets in most of the madrasas due to lack of funds, Arya said that arrangements for funds should be immediately made through Maulana Azad foundation programme.

The minister also expressed dismay at the slow achievement of targets pertaining to scholarship programmes for meritorious minority students. Under the Chief Minister’s scholarship scheme for meritorious students belonging to the minority communities a grant of Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 is awarded on scoring 60 per cent and above marks in the 10th and 12th classes. Under this scheme, the department has so far received a total of 450 applications. — TNS