India, April 10 -- The Andhra Pradesh government has scrapped the state waqf board's April 3 notification to seek proposals for leasing Waqf land across the state for commercial purposes, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

A senior official of the minority welfare department said the order to cancel the waqf board's notification was issued following instructions from chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday evening.

The official said the waqf board on April 3 called for "expression of interest" from individuals and organisations for the development of waqf land ranging from 1 to 200 acres for commercial purposes, including establishment of petrol pumps, shopping complexes, commercial buildings, and multiplexes.

An...