JAMMU, MARCH 26 (KNO) : Minister for Revenue, Hajj & Auqaf and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri today conducted an extensive tour of Jammu city to review the status of developmental activities undertaken by the Auqaf department. The Minister visited Jamia Masjid, Mufti Mohammad Syeed student’s Hostel and Kunjwani to take stock of departmental activities.
Commissioner Secretary Revenue, Shahid Inaytullah, Special Officer Auqaf, Raj Mohammad, ACR Jammu Nisar Ahmed Shad, Administrator Auqaf Jammu Vakeel Bhat and senior officers from JMC and Auqaf department accompanied the Minister during the visit. The Minister visited Jama Masjid, Talab Khatikan where he reviewed the progress on the ongoing development works. Concerned officers and the members of Jama Masjid Committee briefed the Minister about the present status of works being undertaken by various agencies.
It was informed that the super structure of the Masjid has been completed while as the wooden and other necessary works are in progress. It was informed that as per Chief Minister’s commitment, the work for the construction of Minar was entrusted upon the Tourism Department while Jammu Municipal Corporation was asked to construct the Toilet Complex at the Masjid premises.
The Minister sought the details of works from the concerned and asked them to expedite them to complete as early as possible. He asked the executing agency to complete the works on Ground Floor within six month. The mosque has three floors, parking and other allied facilities, the Minister was informed.
Veeri further asked them to ensure availability of better facilities in and outside the premises of Jama Masjid including parking space and beautification of Masjid. During his interaction with the members of Jamia Masjid Committee, Veeri said that Auqaf will provide all possible assistance for early completion of the mosque and added that the people should also come forward and contribute for this endeavor.
Veeri than visited Mufti Muhammad Sayeed student’s hostel built by Auqaf Islamia Jammu near the shrine of Hazrat Zaahir Ali Shah (RA) for the beneficiary students. Special Officer Auqaf, Raj Mohammad apprised the Minister that the hostel would provide accommodation facilities for 100 students intending to pursue studies at Jammu. Built at a cost of Rs 6 crore, the hostel would also have additional facilities of parking, catering and other allied facilities. The Minister directed the concerned to make the hostel functional soon so that the students are benefitted of this facility in the centre of the city.
Veeri also paid his obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Zaahir Ali Shah (RA). Later, the Minister visited Kunjwani and sought the details of the land presently under the possession of Auqaf department and status of Auqaf land acquired by the government department and other agencies.
The Minister was apprised that at Kunjwani, a total of 375 kanal of land belong to Auqaf department. Presently, there is a water body (pond) on the land measuring about 40 kanal and Kabristan (cremation ground) on 40 kanal of land which is in possession of the department while the other land has been acquired and provided to the government agencies on rent basis.
Veeri also visited the shopping Complex built by Auqaf department at Kunjwani and also sought the details of the present status of the complex. Addressing the officers of Auqaf department, the Minister asked to properly maintain its existing assets and utilize the Auqaf land exclusively for the developmental purposes. It is our sole responsibility to upkeep the department’s structures/buildings so that they can be utilized for long. Veeri asked the Auqaf authorities to adopt innovative measures so that its assets are used in an optimum and gainful manner. He also asked for proper fencing of Auqaf land to save it from getting encroached.(KNO)