Mumbai, July 9: BJP Legislative Council Group Leader Pravin Darekar has urged the Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislature to direct the state government to take immediate action against the Maharashtra State Waqf Board for allegedly failing to submit its audit reports to the Legislature for the past 17 years.
Raising the issue through a Point of Procedure in the House, Darekar said that the Waqf Board has not submitted a single audit report since 2008, despite Section 80 of the Waqf Act, 1995 mandating the Board to submit an annual audit report to the government, which must then be tabled before the Legislature.
He alleged that the Board’s failure to comply with the law has raised serious concerns over the transparency of public funds and the management of nearly one lakh acres of Waqf land in Maharashtra. Darekar noted that the Board receives substantial government funding every year for administrative expenses and salaries, making legislative oversight essential.
He further stated that a representation highlighting the issue was submitted to the Minority Affairs Minister on March 18, 2025, but no action has been taken so far. Citing Section 99 of the Waqf Act, he said the government has the authority to dissolve a Board that fails to discharge its statutory duties and sought immediate action against the Waqf Board.
Responding to the matter, Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde directed the state government to submit a detailed statement. On behalf of the government, Minister for Women and Child Development Aditi Tatkare assured the House that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the Chairman’s directions.
