Sayeed asks Wakf Board to improve facilities at holy shrines

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Saturday directed the Wakf Board to take immediate steps for improving facilities and beautification of holy shrines for enabling the devotees to pay obeisance in a hassle-free manner.

Laying stress on improving facilities and overall ambiance, Sayeed directed the Vice Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Wakf Board to devise a mechanism which will facilitate the devotees visiting the holy shrines.

He said the caretakers should ensure that shrine properties are taken good care of, especially vis-a-vis 'wuzu khanas' (ablution centres) and landscaping of shrine premises.

The chief minister passed these directions while chairing the 20th Board of Directors meeting of the Board here, an official spokesman said.

Sayeed also called for upgrading all existing schools under Wakf Board as Model Schools for imparting quality education.

The chief minister said the schools must have facilities of smart classrooms, computer labs and correction centres so that students have access to quality education.

He also approved bringing the salaries of teachers of the school at par with other educational institutions, managed by the Wakf Board.

The Chief Minister also directed Vice Chairman Wakf Board to explore possibility for setting up new nursing colleges.

He said the demand for paramedic staff will increase when new medical colleges will start functioning. He asked the Minister for Haj and Auqaf to prepare a blueprint for setting up similar nursing colleges in Jammu province, where also three new medical colleges are being established.

In order to strengthen the Wakf institutions and streamline their functioning, the Chief Minister directed Vice Chairman to seek advice of the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, so that the lacunae, if any, in the Wakf Act are removed by bringing in necessary amendments.

The chief minister asked the Vice Chairman to take steps in protecting and safeguarding the Wakf properties and take necessary steps to improve the resource position of the Wakf Board, in particular related to the revenue generated out of the leased out assets.