Properties listed in the kitabul awqaaf will be prioritized for registration as their supporting documents are readily available. | Photo credit: Representative photo
With the Waqf Tribunal extending the deadline for uploading details on the UMEED portal by three months, the Telangana State Waqf Board (TGWB) is once again racing to complete the exercise. While the Muslim endowment body has identified its immediate areas of focus, it now faces a tougher task: dealing with the many unregistered waqf institutions that lack basic documentation – such as waqfnama and waqf subject – and may require physical verification.
Board sources, who did not want to be identified, said it was difficult to estimate the exact number of such properties, but acknowledged they were substantial. As part of the procedure, whenever properties are identified without a formal declaration of their waqf status, they are registered as waqf by the user, a provision that allows institutions to be considered Muslim endowments based on their long-term use for religious purposes.
“There are many properties that have not been registered with the waqf board. In such cases, when they come to register on the UMEED portal, a waqfnama (waqf deed) will be needed. If that is not available, then a building permit or an electricity bill. This means any document that proves the existence of the institution,” it said, adding that verification at the source control level will be based on the approving and clear document level.
“There may be cases where physical verification of these properties is required if the documents are not sufficient. An inspector-auditor will inspect the property and report back. This activity will require a lot of work.”
Meanwhile, officials said the UMEED portal has been made available recently. The work has been resumed and will be further streamlined.
Speaking to The Hindu, TGWB Director General Mohammed Asadullah said the immediate objective is to register, upload documents, inspect and approve the institutions listed in the kitabul awqaaf (Waqf Book) and then those listed in the second waqf survey.
“There are approximately 3,000 properties in the awqaaf kitab. These will be occupied first because they have documents attached to them. Secondly, we will also occupy the properties that were part of the second survey, there are approximately 13,000 such properties. The work has already started and we will go full speed in the next few days,” said Mr. Asadullah.
Published – 21 Dec 2025 20:11 IST
