People's Democracy

‘Formulate Scheme for Imams’ Salaries’

 Ms Brinda Karat, member of parliament and member of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau wrote the following letter to the union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 2, requesting him to formulate a scheme with regard to the Imams’ salary with the Central Waqf Council as enjoined by the apex court, so that it could be included in the budgetary allocations for the coming year. Text of the letter follows.

I WRITE to draw your attention to the assurance given by you in the Lok Sabha regarding implementation of the Supreme Court judgement on the Imams’ salaries. You will recall that on August 21, 2010 the matter was raised during zero hour in the Lok Sabha. In response, you had said, “The order of the Supreme Court is quite clear and the government will take note of the order, direction of the Supreme Court. The government is fully aware of it and it will take appropriate action.”

The all-India organisation of Imams has been eagerly awaiting “appropriate action” from the government which unfortunately has not been taken. In view of the forthcoming budget 2011-12, it would be most appropriate if the central government would urgently formulate the scheme with the Central Waqf Council as enjoined by the apex court so that the scheme could be included in the budgetary allocations for the coming year.

Knowing your commitment to implement assurances made on the floor of the house, I request you to take urgent action in the matter.