Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Oct 29: Kota Srinivas Poojary, MP, has criticised the Waqf rules implemented by the previous Congress government, claiming they are creating chaos and negatively impacting people's lives.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, October 29, Poojary stated, “The Congress government is generating new problems that adversely affect the public. In their quest to strengthen their party, they are causing harm to the community.”
He highlighted a troubling incident in Vijayapura district, where 11,000 acres of land were declared Waqf board assets without notifying the farmers, leading to the confiscation of state lands.
“When the Waqf board claims ownership of land, their tribunal must step forward. Regardless of actual ownership, if the Waqf board asserts a claim, the deputy commissioner instructs the tahsildar to amend land records without any notice. Recently, three ministers—the revenue minister, the Vijayapura district in-charge minister, and the Waqf minister—held a press conference admitting that notices were mistakenly sent to around 120 people, and some land acquisitions occurred without proper notification. They have no answers regarding accountability for the deputy commissioner or tahsildar for these errors,” Poojary explained.
He expressed concern about the implications for Udupi, stating, “If anyone can claim land in the name of the Waqf, how will society function? If farmers' lands are handed over to the Waqf board, which operates under a religious framework, what happens to the livelihoods of others? Immediate action is needed to address this situation, and the misinformation from the revenue minister must stop.”
Poojary also raised issues regarding the transfer of rights for issuing "9 and 11" documents, which were previously handled by gram panchayats. “These certificates used to be issued within a month, but the state government is undermining the rights of panchayats. I have written to the Chief Minister, urging the restoration of these rights,” he stated.
On the topic of BPL card cancellations, he noted that around 12 lakh ration cards were revoked during a verification drive, warning that this could deny BPL families access to essential benefits. “If any poor individual loses their card unjustly, the BJP will protest across the state,” he asserted, speculating that this might be an attempt to reduce BPL cardholders ahead of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme rollout.