Hyderabad: Telangana Waqf Board is facing an existential crisis for the past one year after the new Waqf Act was passed in the Parliament. Reason: the state govt has directed it not to hold any board meeting until further orders in the wake of the new Act.Since then, the Waqf board has been writing letters — the latest one a couple of months ago — to allow board meetings. The last board meeting was held in October 2024, prior to the passage of the new Waqf Act, 2025.In the absence of the meeting, many important issues are pending with the board as it is the policy making body and all-important decisions are taken by it. Sources said appointment of Masjid management committee, and muthawalis, review of legal cases and appointment of special counsels to deal with the cases, enhancement of cadre strength, long leases of Waqf properties and enhancement of lease amount have been waiting for the board clearance. This leaves the board’s status close to defunct.The state govt imposed restrictions on holding Board meeting last year as there were doubts about the existence of existing Board after the new Act came into force, composition of the Board which was changed in the new Act and also quorum to hold the meeting.“The board had written a letter to the minority welfare department to allow the board meeting a couple of months ago, through chief executive officer of Telangana Waqf Board. The minority welfare department has referred the issue to the additional advocate general for his opinion,” Telangana State Waqf Board chairman Syed Azmatullah Husseni told TOI on Thursday.Sources in the Waqf board said that in all the states, existing boards are allowed to complete their tenure including in BJP ruled states and have been holding board meetings on a regular basis. Recently, only one state, Madhya Pradesh constituted a new committee as per the new Act as the old committee completed its tenure. As per the new Waqf Act, the elected members are more than the nominated members, including representatives from other groups. In Telangana, of the eight members, the term of one member from Bar council has ended recently, sources said.On the quorum to hold meetings, there are no representation from elected MLA, MP and MLC now. Of the 11 total board members only seven are available now. Board sources said there is no need for quorum or specific number of members to hold meetings.“The quorum is required when there is voting on some controversial issues. It is not required for any general resolutions of public interest,” Abul Fateh Syed Bandagi Badesha Quadri, an elected member of the board said.
