More than half of the staff at the Telangana State Waqf Board is likely to be axed and put on 'compulsory retirement'.
Highly placed sources told The Hindu that the issue was discussed with chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday after he summoned a meeting with board members and invited Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi to discuss a further course of action and course correction of the board. The meeting lasted for around three hours.
“We told the CM that the board does not have proper sanctioned staff strength. Of the 106 employees, over 60 are attendants and nine are supervisors. Further, senior staff members are grossly incompetent and cannot even draft a letter. They're drawing exorbitant salaries without working. It was decided to pay them remainder of their salaries and ask them to take compulsory retirement,” a source who did not wish to be identified said.
Sources said that the members apprised the CM of the board's inability to function efficiently as its cadre strength has not been approved for several years. They also requested him to appoint qualified staff so that the board can be proactive in its approach.“Responding to this, CM said that he would post officers from other departments on deputation basis. Their salaries will be borne by the government and not the board. We requested the CM for an administrative grant-in-aid of Rs 10 crore and have received a positive response,” a source said.
Telangana State Waqf Board chairman Mohammed Saleem confirmed the developments. “Irregular appointments at the board will be investigated. We have already removed seven people. Those who are relatives of employees will also be probed and removed. Non-performers and incompetent people will be asked leave. We are with the CM and welcome his decision,” Mr Saleem said. When asked about when the records section will be accessible, he said that a clear picture would emerge only on November 13.
Among others who attended the meeting were advisor to the Telangana government on Minorities Welfare A K Khan, Minorities Welfare Department secretary Syed Omer Jaleel and board chief executive officer M A Mannan Farooqui.