SRINAGAR, March 5: In a significant development, the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board has announced a hike of 30% to the remuneration of Imams, Khateebs, Muazzins, & Darasgah Mua’llims, who are performing their duties on Shrines, Mosques & Darasgahs directly administered by J&K Waqf Board.
The decision in this regard was taken today after a meeting of Imams & Khateebs was chaired by Dr. Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, in the newly constructed Conference Hall of Waqf at Sonwar Srinagar, officials told Sachnews in a press conference.
In another major development, Chairperson Waqf Board also announced that J&K Waqf Board shall be providing adequate accommodation facilities to the Imams, Khateebs, & Muallims, that are posted at places far off from their home. Some other major initiatives taken in this direction are:
1. Relief Assistance of up to One Lakh Rupees in case of natural calamity leading to house damage, disease/accidents requiring hospitalisation.
2. Provision of Library Facilities for Imams, Khateebs, & Muallims, where religious literature shall be made available, so that they shall not have to purchase it at their level.
3. J&K Waqf Board shall be bearing the cost of Electricity & Water bills of their accommodations.
4. Contrary to the past practice, no Imam, Khateeb, or Muazzin, shall be removed from his position on the complaint of locals, unless charges are proved after proper enquiry.
5. As demanded by the Imams & Khateebs, J&K Waqf Board shall be organising frequent Training Programmes by roping in well known religious scholars.
6. Bringing an end to the past practice, they shall be entitled to remuneration during the Leave Period as well. Pertinently, they were not being paid for the Leave Period.
7. A Committee shall be constituted, that shall have two members from amongst Imams & Khateebs, to look into the issues of rationalisation & transfers.
8. Imams & Khateebs shall have to be consulted by the Administrators of Shrines & Mosques in decisions regarding religious activities.
Further, the Imams & Khateebs were requested to organise Nazool-e-Quraan Conferences & other conferences on Special Occasions. It was also the impressed upon all the Khateebs to ensure strict adherence to the timings as are publicised for the information of general public.
