Srinagar, Mar 17: The Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board has dismissed recent allegations regarding the leasing of Waqf land in Sumbal, terming the claims as misinformed and lacking factual basis. Officials said the process followed was fully transparent, revenue-optimised, and aimed at addressing long-standing deterioration of the orchard.
According to the Board, contrary to claims that the orchard was leased “secretly,” advertisements were issued in newspapers and uploaded on the Board’s official website to ensure wide outreach. The 692-kanal orchard, officials explained, had seen significant decline over the years, with hundreds of trees becoming unproductive and some patches turning disease-prone.
The Board identified 159 kanals of barren and least productive land for long-term leasing, divided into four patches to encourage diversification and investor participation. For high-density plantation, a base lease rate of ₹25,180 per kanal per year with 5% annual escalation was fixed, significantly higher than prevailing private rates. An upfront premium of ₹1 lakh per kanal was introduced, amounting to ₹1.59 crore for the leased land.
Under a major reform, operational costs—including fertilisers, pesticides, machinery, and labour—were shifted to contractors, relieving the Board of an estimated ₹63 lakh expenditure over three years. Officials said this approach enhances revenue efficiency while ensuring proper maintenance and long-term sustainability of the orchard.
Previously, the orchard generated an average annual income of ₹64 lakh, with nearly 60% spent on operational costs. Under the new framework, officials estimate potential revenues of around ₹7 crore upfront, along with ₹2 crore in annual recurring income, without burdening the Board with operational expenses.
Officials stated that the remaining 533 kanals are placed under a three-year auction framework, with base rates fixed above projected financial returns to maximise public revenue. They asserted that the Sumbal initiative reflects a reform-driven, transparent approach to Waqf property management, combining fiscal prudence, digital disclosure, and long-term asset optimisation.
“The initiative is designed to safeguard and strengthen Waqf assets for future generations, contrary to claims of controversy,” officials said, highlighting that every step followed proper procedures and verifiable documentation.
The Board emphasised that the Sumbal orchard project sets a benchmark in Kashmir for transparent, sustainable, and revenue-focused management of public Waqf properties.
Srinagar, Mar 17: The Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board has dismissed recent allegations regarding the leasing of Waqf land in Sumbal, terming the claims as misinformed and lacking factual basis. Officials said the process followed was fully transparent, revenue-optimised, and aimed at addressing long-standing deterioration of the orchard.
According to the Board, contrary to claims that the orchard was leased “secretly,” advertisements were issued in newspapers and uploaded on the Board’s official website to ensure wide outreach. The 692-kanal orchard, officials explained, had seen significant decline over the years, with hundreds of trees becoming unproductive and some patches turning disease-prone.
The Board identified 159 kanals of barren and least productive land for long-term leasing, divided into four patches to encourage diversification and investor participation. For high-density plantation, a base lease rate of ₹25,180 per kanal per year with 5% annual escalation was fixed, significantly higher than prevailing private rates. An upfront premium of ₹1 lakh per kanal was introduced, amounting to ₹1.59 crore for the leased land.
Under a major reform, operational costs—including fertilisers, pesticides, machinery, and labour—were shifted to contractors, relieving the Board of an estimated ₹63 lakh expenditure over three years. Officials said this approach enhances revenue efficiency while ensuring proper maintenance and long-term sustainability of the orchard.
Previously, the orchard generated an average annual income of ₹64 lakh, with nearly 60% spent on operational costs. Under the new framework, officials estimate potential revenues of around ₹7 crore upfront, along with ₹2 crore in annual recurring income, without burdening the Board with operational expenses.
Officials stated that the remaining 533 kanals are placed under a three-year auction framework, with base rates fixed above projected financial returns to maximise public revenue. They asserted that the Sumbal initiative reflects a reform-driven, transparent approach to Waqf property management, combining fiscal prudence, digital disclosure, and long-term asset optimisation.
“The initiative is designed to safeguard and strengthen Waqf assets for future generations, contrary to claims of controversy,” officials said, highlighting that every step followed proper procedures and verifiable documentation.
The Board emphasised that the Sumbal orchard project sets a benchmark in Kashmir for transparent, sustainable, and revenue-focused management of public Waqf properties.
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