Budget priorities include propagating Sikh faith, public welfare and simplification of Panthak issues: Advocate Dhami
Four medical stores to be opened to provide medicines to needy at cost price for public welfare: Advocate Dhami
Special budget earmarked for marking the first centenary of Saka Sri Panja Sahib, natural disasters, publishing religious literature, scholarships to Amritdhari students, pursuing cases of Sikh prisoners
Amritsar, March 30: During the annual budget session’s general house meeting held in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib at the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) headquarters, Teja Singh Samundri Hall, Sri Amritsar, the Sikh body SGPC passed the budget of about Rs 988.15 crore for the session of 2022-23. The budget session was inaugurated with ardas (prayer) offered by Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh.
The budget meeting was attended by 101 SGPC members besides Giani Jagtar Singh Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh and SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami.
The budget was presented by SGPC General Secretary S. Karnail Singh Panjoli, which was approved by the members present amid resonance of the Khalsa’s jaikaras (Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal). S. Karnail Singh elaborated on the budget reserved for various departments and institutions during his budget speech and shared the details of the expenditure incurred along with the sources of the income. According to the details shared by S. Panjoli, the estimated expenditure during the session of 2022-23 is about Rs 988.15 crore while the estimated revenue is about Rs 958.45 crore.
Speaking to the media about the budget passed, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said the SGPC determines the expenditure in the budget on the basis of its revenue and the estimated expenditure for this year is about Rs 29.70 crore more than the revenue.
“This difference is due to non-receipt of funds provided by the Punjab government for the aided staff deputed in SGPC’s educational institutions and scholarship amount of the scheduled caste (SC) students. The government should immediately clear the payment of due funds meant for SGPC institutions by giving up its apathetic nature towards the Sikh body. If the government releases these funds then the financial condition of the SGPC’s education institutions can be improved”, said Advocate Dhami.
Advocate Dhami said that the budget of SGPC has given priority to various public welfare works, preaching of Sikh faith, simplification of Panthak issues, healthcare facilities, and expansion of education. He said under the public welfare four medical stores will be opened at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo, and Gurdwara Birh Baba Buddha Sahib, Thatha, Tarn Taran, from where medicines will be provided to the needy at the cost price.
SGPC President said that arrangements will also be made for providing free education, hostel, and food facilities to 200 Amritdhari (initiated) Sikh girls at the campus of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib. He said earlier, the SGPC under its free education scheme is providing the same to 200 Amritdhari Sikh girls at Mata Sahib Kaur Girls College, Talwandi Sabo.
SGPC President said that the first 100 year centenary of Shaheedi Saka (martyrdom massacre) of Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib (now in Pakistan) will be marked with full grandeur on October 30, 2022, and a budget of Rs 1.75 crore has been earmarked for the same.
Apart from the above, a budget of Rs 5.58 crore has been kept under various funds for supporting the poor and needy, Rs 3.69 crore for memorials, Rs 50 lakh for supporting Sikligar, and Vanjara Sikhs, and Rs 96 lakh for natural disasters. He added that special fund has been kept aside for Gurdwara Sahibs in Punjab and outside Punjab, printing religious literature, supporting Dharmi Faujis and their families, pursuing cases of Sikh prisoners lodged in jails, for supporting the families affected by the Delhi Sikh genocide, and education of children.
SGPC President said that provisions have been made in the budget for encouraging school children for Sikh Heritage Games besides scholarships to Amritdhari Sikh students.
Giving information about the new sarais (inns) being constructed for the facility of the Sangat (pilgrims) coming to Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Advocate Dhami said very soon two new sarais would be built and a special budget has been reserved for the same. He added that the priorities of the budget are multifaceted and the SGPC is committed to pursuing Panthak issues, intensifying the Dharam Prachar Lehar (campaign to preach the Sikh faith), and works related to the welfare of the people and it will continue to do so in the future as well.
Many members addressed during budget session
During the budget session of the SGPC, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, General Secretary Jathedar Karnail Singh Panjoli besides SGPC member Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, S. Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar, Baba Buta Singh, and S. Balwinder Singh Bains also addressed the gathering. The speakers lauded the work of the Sikh organization and offered some suggestions on Sikh issues. Meanwhile, SGPC President Advocate Dhami welcomed the suggestions given by the members and assured to consider them. The proceeding of this budget session was run by SGPC Secretary S Mohinder Singh Ahli.