Telangana’s Assembly on Thursday took up concerns over alleged encroachments on Waqf properties, minority welfare spending and the state’s plans for Haj infrastructure, with AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi seeking updates from the government.
Speaking during Question Hour, Owaisi alleged that Waqf Board properties were being encroached upon and claimed that the state government was failing to protect them. He also said that while the government had allocated ₹3,000 crore to the Minority Welfare Department in the budget, only ₹500 crore had been spent so far.
Owaisi additionally sought an update on a promise made by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to provide ₹10,000 in differential airfare assistance to each Haj pilgrim returning from the pilgrimage. The report did not specify whether the assistance had been approved, disbursed or altered.
The AIMIM leader also questioned the functioning of the Telangana Waqf Board. He alleged that the government had not convened a meeting of the board since the new Waqf Act came into force last year, while continuing with the existing board chairperson. The claims were raised during the Assembly discussion and were not independently detailed in the report.
Owaisi sought details about the proposed Haj House at Mamidipally near Shamshabad airport and the future of the incomplete Haj building at Nampally. He also urged the government to convene a meeting with minority MLAs to discuss the issues. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka accepted the suggestion for such a meeting.
Minority Welfare Minister Mohd Azharuddin said the government was planning to construct a new Haj House on two acres at Mamidipally in Balapur mandal. He said officials had visited Bengaluru to study the Haj House there and that ₹86 crore had been allocated for the Telangana project. An architect has also been appointed, according to the minister.
The minister said the old Haj House building at Nampally would be used for minority youth skill development, training and other welfare activities. The proposed uses would also include healthcare facilities, following a suggestion made by Owaisi. The Assembly report did not provide a construction timetable, tender deadline or expected completion date for the Mamidipally project.
The proposed facility near Shamshabad airport and the planned reuse of the Nampally building place Haj travel services alongside broader minority welfare functions. The next steps identified in the Assembly discussion are the proposed meeting with minority MLAs and further government action on the new Haj House and the old building’s redevelopment.
