Gujarat Pumps Rs.6 Cr into Digitalizing Waqf Properties

Gandhinagar, Gujarat  – In a decisive move to bring transparency and accountability to the management of properties under the Waqf Board, Gujarat’s Law Minister Rushikesh Patel today announced a substantial grant of ₹6 crore for their comprehensive GPS mapping, survey, and digitalization. This landmark allocation aims to untangle decades of ambiguity, resolve disputes, and staunch the tide of illegal encroachment that has plagued Waqf assets across the state.

“This is more than just a financial allocation; it’s a commitment to securing what rightfully belongs to the community and ensuring its proper utilization,” stated Law Minister Rushikesh Patel in Gandhinagar. He emphasized the government’s resolve to streamline the often-complex administration of Waqf properties. “We are investing ₹2 crore specifically for GPS mapping, another ₹2 crore for thorough survey work, and a further ₹2 crore for developing a robust Waqf Board website and online digitalization process. This holistic approach will accelerate the pace of survey, record management, and overall governance.”

The initiative is poised to usher in an era of unprecedented clarity. Upon completion of this ambitious project, the exact identity and boundaries of all properties under the Waqf Board will be unequivocally established. This crucial step is expected to achieve several vital objectives:

Establishing Exact Identity: Every Waqf property will have a clear, digitally verifiable identity.

Registering Real Property: Only genuine Waqf properties will be officially registered, eliminating spurious claims.

Resolving Unnecessary Disputes: Clear records will significantly reduce and resolve long-standing property disputes.

Preventing Illegal Pressures: The threat of illegal encroachments will be drastically mitigated, safeguarding valuable assets.

This concerted effort by the Gujarat government aligns seamlessly with the Central Government’s recently introduced Ummeed (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) Act-2025. The state’s push to intensify this work under the various legal provisions of the Act underscores a broader national drive towards modernizing Waqf administration. The Ummeed Act, 2025, itself focuses on leveraging technology and legal reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of Waqf properties nationwide, including stricter penalties for mismanagement and digital record-keeping.

“The digitalization of Waqf properties is a critical step towards preventing misuse and ensuring these assets serve their intended charitable and community purposes,” remarked a senior official from the Law Department, who preferred not to be named. “It’s about empowering the Waqf Board with accurate data and preventing future irregularities.”