16 September,2010 08:06 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
Of the 32,000 properties they own, most are in a dire state, with majority of them being encroached upon by private builders
The Wakf board administration has identified the grave of Mir Sadiq, which is about to be encroached. Like many, the property belonging to the board has been neglected for years, giving way to encroachment.
The infamous Mir Sadiq was a minister of the Sriranapatna Ruler Tipu Sultan's regime, who betrayed him in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war in 1799, paving way for the British. The battle also resulted in the demise of Tipu Sultan.
Tipu Sultan's grave in Srirangpatna. (Below) Mir Sadiq tomb that was discovered by the board while identifying the encroached properties. Mir Sadiq had betrayed Tipu Sultan in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war in 1799
Deputy Inspector General of Police (administration) and the Administrator of Wakf Board of Karnataka MA Saleem who initiated the process of identifying the encroached properties stumbled upon the Mir Sadiq tomb.
"We have identified the tomb of Mir Sadiq and are verifying the documents to ascertain the exact area of encroachments," he said, adding that the private buildings have been raised in and around the tomb, which has a historical background.
According to the officials, the Board had around 60 properties in and around Srirangpatna and majority of them are being encroached. In order to contain this problem, the board has set up 'Tipu Wakf Estate', which will have all the lands owned by the Board.
"If the monuments are historically important, we will hand them over to the Archaeological Society of India," Saleem added.
What is more shocking is that the board owns 32,000 properties worth around Rs 55,000 crore, which are in dire state with majority of them being encroached upon by private builders.
The administration is now contemplating action to secure the properties, Saleem said, adding that Mysore, Bangalore, Bijapur districts are most affected.
"Bijapur alone has around 3,000 properties which are encroached. For example, the District Armed Reserve has built its office on our property," said a Wakf official.
On lease for peanuts
Salem said that there are many areas in the city that have been leased out for a pittance, adding that a business complex on Lalbagh Road is paying 25 paisa per square feet as rent.
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"We have managed to enhance it to Rs 3 per square feet to increase the revenue of the board," he added.
He also said that they have sent notices to a majority of encroachers in a bid to recover the land. "We will try our best to secure the land, though it's a Herculean task," he added.
He also said that computerisation of the Wakf board is complete and all records of properties and other issues are being documented.
"It is an exercise to secure public properties owned by the Board with the help of Central Wakf committee funding," Saleem said.
"We have now documents of all properties belonging to the board and its affiliated organisations. The same information would be uploaded on its website soon to facilitate availability of the details.
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This would help the board to secure and also keep an eye on the encroachments," he said.
