SGPC for joint celebration on Guru Nanak’s birth anniv

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8

A solo grand function should be organised jointly by the Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (SGPC), the state and the Centre to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November this year. This was stated by SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal at a press conference here on Friday.

He said since the Guru professed the message of unity, a unified celebration to commemorate his birth and teachings should be held.

Regretting that there were parallel stages set up in Sultanpur Lodhi, the SGPC chief said all stakeholders should join hands for a grand celebration. He said the Punjab Government should expedite the process of land acquisition for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor and the SGPC would provide all assistance for it.

Asked if the SGPC would lend a helping hand to the three Sikhs convicted by a Nawanshahr court to a life term for waging war against the state, Longowal said: “If they approach us, we are willing to provide legal and other aid to them.”

Earlier, at an executive committee meeting of the SGPC, it was decided that the Budget session would be held on March 30. Admitting that the SGPC was facing a financial crunch and finding it difficult to meet its committed liabilities, Longowal said it was mainly because Rs 40 crore was blocked with the state government, which had failed to release the amount given as post-matric scholarship to students from socially backward classes.

Other decisions taken during the meeting include annual scholarships to Amritdhari students and sportspersons, and grants to gurdwaras located in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rs 17.5-crore for infra upgrade of villages

The Rural Development Board has released the first instalment of Rs 17.5 crore for the holistic development of 35 villages associated with the life of the first Sikh Guru. These funds will be spent on the upgrade of basic civic amenities. Total estimates amounting to Rs 183.97 crore were prepared, of which Rs 33.97 crore would come from the MGNREGA and the remaining Rs 150 crore from the state.