G.O. Ms. No. 33, Extension of Period of Supersession of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board by Another Six Months
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department issued G.O. Ms. No. 33 on 16 March 2020, extending the earlier supersession of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board for another six months from 18 March 2020. The Governor of Tamil Nadu also directed Thiru M.A. Siddique, Indian Administrative Service, to exercise all powers and perform all duties of the Board as Special Officer during the extension period.
What the notification does
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department issued G.O. Ms. No. 33 on 16 March 2020. The notification extends the existing supersession of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board for another six months from 18 March 2020 and authorises Thiru M.A. Siddique, Indian Administrative Service, to act for the Board as Special Officer during that period.
Why the Board remained superseded
The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board had been reconstituted under Section 14 of the Waqf Act, 1995. The notification records that elected members must at all times outnumber nominated members. Because elected members were fewer than nominated members, the Board was unable to perform its functions under the Waqf Act, 1995.
The Government had therefore superseded the Board for six months under an earlier government order. That period was due to expire on 17 March 2020.
Key provisions
The notification provides that:
- The supersession of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board is extended for another six months from 18 March 2020.
- The extension was made using powers under Section 99 of the Waqf Act, 1995.
- Thiru M.A. Siddique, Indian Administrative Service, then Principal Secretary to Government and Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Chennai 5, must serve as Special Officer.
- The Special Officer may exercise and perform all powers and duties under the Waqf Act, 1995 on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board during the extension period.
- The Government intended to reconstitute the Board through elected and nominated members.
- The election process was expected to take three months and included forming the electoral college, publishing electoral rolls, receiving and scrutinising nominations, voting and declaring results.
Who may be affected
The notification directly affects the administration of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board and people dealing with the Board during the extension period. It does not specify procedures for buying, selling, registering or changing the use of land. However, anyone who required a decision or official action from the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board during that period would have dealt with the Special Officer exercising the Board's powers.
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Common questions
Was the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board dissolved permanently?
No. The notification extended a temporary supersession for another six months from 18 March 2020 while the Government proposed to reconstitute the Board.
Who exercised the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board's powers during the extension?
Thiru M.A. Siddique, Indian Administrative Service, was directed to exercise and perform all powers and duties under the Waqf Act, 1995 on behalf of the Board as Special Officer.
Why was the supersession extended?
The notification states that elected members were fewer than nominated members, so the Board could not perform its functions. It also records that the election process for reconstitution would take three months.
Does the notification change rules for purchasing or registering land?
No land purchase, sale or registration rules are stated in the notification. It concerns who exercised the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board's powers during the extended supersession.
