SRINAGAR: The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is also chairman of Muslim Waqf Board, on Wednesday approved a proposal regarding the marble cladding of the Hazratbal Shrine dome, damaged last year.
He fixed December 31, 2013 as the target for completing the work.
The Shrine, the holiest in Muslim-majority valley, houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad.
The marble tiles on one third portion of the dome came off in September last year during repair works.
On Wednesday, Abdullah chaired a meeting of Waqf’s Board of Directors during which a presentation about the new marble cladding was made.
Makrana marbles come from the country’s Makrana area – the world’s most renowned white marble site. Taj Mahal and the White House are built from this stone.
Abdullah also directed the constitution of sub-committees for all major Waqfs involving locals in the development and maintenance of Muslim Waqf properties.
He also asked for constituting sub-committee on Education to look into the aspects of improving the status of schools run by Waqf Board.
The Chief Minister also said that all measures should be put into place to maintain and protect Waqf properties and to expand its activities for upliftment of needy and poor.
