Nitish Kumar’s plan for Waqf Board properties: Multipurpose buildings, wedding halls, markets and more in Bihar

The Bihar government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced the construction of several multipurpose buildings, wedding halls etc on the Waqf Board properties.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar has announced plans for the construction of multipurpose buildings, wedding halls and market complexes on properties registered under the Shia and Sunni Waqf boards.

Bihar Minority Welfare Minister Zama Khan on Monday said the government has also decided to set up 21 new madrasas in various parts of the state.

“Ten projects had been proposed for construction of multi-purpose buildings, market complex and library in Patna, Purnea, Kaimur, Katihar, Kishanganj, Nawada and Siwan in 2023-24. An amount of Rs 105.13 crore was proposed for those projects,” Khan told reporters at a press conference.

The projects, set to be implemented under the Bihar Rajya Waqf Vikas Yojana, will see the construction of multipurpose buildings, guest houses, marriage halls, Waqf office buildings, and market complexes in Siwan and Bhagalpur districts during the year 2024-25, the minister said.

“The state government has also decided to construct 21 new madrasas in different parts of the state under the Bihar Rajya Madarsa Sudridhikaran Yojna BRMSY. Ten madrasas were recently completed by the authorities concerned in the state,” he said, adding that an administrative approval of Rs 32.39 crore was given last year for strengthening one madrasa each in Nalanda and East Champaran and two in Purnea.

The BRMSY has provisions for facilities such as drinking water, libraries, equipment, toilets and computer science labs for strengthening the madrasa infrastructure.

The developments come even as the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre pushes for the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, aiming to restrain what it sees as unfettered powers of the Waqf board leading to complaints from ordinary Muslim citizens.

The Bill, which has now been sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee after resistance from the Opposition, removes a provision from the existing Act that empowers the Waqf Board to inquire and determine if a property is waqf.

Asked about the Bihar government’s stand on the changes the Centre proposes to bring through the Bill, Khan said, “Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is concerned about the sentiment and welfare of minority communities in the state. Whatever is decided will certainly be in the interest of the community.”

The minister further said that the state government is concerned about the protection of Waqf properties and the administration will ensure that no encroachment takes place on such assets.

(With PTI inputs)