Waqf board prepares draft policy on graveyards

NEW DELH: The Delhi Waqf Board has prepared a draft model graveyard policy, recommending a fixed 3 to 30 year allotment period for graves and an annual fee ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 for burials in view of shortage of land and problem of encroachments.

A senior Waqf board official said that the policy also recommends “reuse” of the land and that no pucca or permanent grave be allowed. The grave would be all-owed only on allotment basis for a minimum period of 3 years and upto a period of 30 years against the payment of fee. Allotment for 3 years will be done for a fee of Rs 5,000 per year.

Where allotment is sought for any period beyond 3 years then the annual fee will be Rs 10,000 per for each year exceeding first 3 years.

The maximum allotm-ent period will be 30 years, read the draft. The allottee or legal he-irs can choose to reuse the grave for further burials, within the period of allotment, it said.  The draft policy has been prepared for management of Tikona Park graveyard near Hazrat Nijzamuddin Dargah. Its successful implementation will serve as model for management of other graveyards in the city, the official said.

The available records with the Delhi Waqf Board suggested there are 573 notified graveyards. However, only 143 graveyards of varying sizes are actually available for burial as a majority of them are under encroachment, he said.