‘Set up full-fledged document assistance cell for Waqf Umeed portal'

The Hindu

20-07-2025

With the confusion over the Waqf Umeed portal growing, a member of the Telangana State Waqf Board, Syed Abul Fattah Bandagi Badesha Quadri, pointed out that the Board must set up a specialised documentation and information technology cell so as to assist mutawallis in locating property documents, and uploading them.
'I had made a representation to the Minorities Welfare Department (MWD) last year, underscoring that the Chief Commissioner Land Administration (CCLA) office has important documents such as waqf muntakhabs, and files pertaining to jagirs, inam lands, temples, masjids, so on and so forth. The MWD wrote to the CCLA seeking a hand over of the files in the Urdu record room to State Archives,' Mr. Quadri told The Hindu.
The MWD, in a letter issued earlier this month, also sought the cooperation of the Endowments Department in terms of accessing documents which could be waqf.
Mr. Quadri underscored that not uploading documents on the portal could have long-term ramifications. Therefore, the cooperation across departments and agencies was paramount.
'While some board staff were sent to the Archives to gather documents, more focused efforts are required. Which is why the Board must give all possible technical assistance to mutawallis and managing committees to strengthen their documentation. Documents with different government offices must be made more accessible,' he said.
Meanwhile, a senior board official pointed out that the State government has sought the opinion regarding the Umeed portal from the Law Department. A response is awaited.