J&K Waqf Board sees financial growth amid rising expenditures: RTI Report

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has witnessed significant financial transformation, an RTI reveals.

Despite expenditures rising from Rs 21.43 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 26.93 crore in 2022-23, the board has boosted its income from Rs 24.95 crore to Rs 40.24 crore, the RTI filed by M.M. Shuja reveals.

In the financial year 2019-20, the board recorded an income of Rs 24.95 crore, while its expenditure stood at Rs 21.43 crore. The following year, 2020-21, saw a slight decline in income to Rs 24.66 crore, with an increase in expenditure to Rs 25.41 crore.

In 2021-22, income rose significantly to Rs 30.72 crore, while expenditure grew moderately to Rs 25.92 crore. This increase in revenue reversed the previous year’s deficit. The trend of increasing income continued into 2022-23, with earnings soaring to Rs 40.24 crore while expenditure rose to Rs 26.93 crore.

The Waqf Board manages 9058 kanal of land, which includes orchards, agricultural land, forest land, parks, vacant land and bazaars. Specifically, 1836 kanal and 27 marla are designated as orchards or agricultural land, and 7000 kanal as forest land in Baba Reshi.

The board also oversees over 73 mosques and shrines, employing 279 regular employees, 220 regular teachers, 200 consolidated employees, 44 muster sheet employees, and 87 Imams, totalling 830 staff members. Since the abrogation of Article 370, 30 employees have been terminated.

The board has 3379 commercial properties on rent, including shops, rooms, sets, halls, godowns, houses, sheds, buildings, schools, and open spaces, which contribute to its financial growth.