Why Judicial panel nullified budget meeting of Haryana Sikh gurdwara body

The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission has nullified the general house meeting held on January 7, in which the budget of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) for the Financial Year 2025-26 was claimed to have been passed. The council’s order has come as a setback to the HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, who had claimed to have passed the budget of Rs 104.50 crore for the financial year.What led to the dispute over budget meeting?On January 7, The HSGMC president claimed to have passed the budget of Rs 104.50 crore at the general house meeting, however the legitimacy of the meeting was challenged before the judicial commission by dissenting members. HSGMC senior vice-president Gurmeet Singh had stated that the quorum was not complete at the meeting hence the budget could not be passed.What were the directions issued by the commission?The commission in its order said the meeting did not meet the required attendance of 33 members in the 49-member house. Any order passed at that meeting, including the alleged passing of the budget was a nullity and not at all operative in the eyes of law. The general house meeting remains inoperative for all intents and purposes. Any non-routine capital expenditure will remain suspended until a fresh budget is passed or specific permission is granted.What were the other instructions issued?The commission has directed the president and chief secretary to abide strictly by the provisions of the act, particularly, in its financial matters, so that transparency and consequent faith prevail among the Sikhs residing in Haryana.What led to the dispute in the committee?A section of HSGMC leaders led by co-opted member Baljit Singh Daduwal and Senior vice-president Gurmeet Singh who had been accusing Jhinda of not consulting the other members in decision making leading to chaotic affairs of the committee. They have been demanding resignation from the president on moral grounds and claiming that the president lacks the support of members due to which the quorum remains incomplete at meetings.What does HSGMC senior vice-president say about the decision?HSGMC’s senior vice-president Gurmeet Singh has welcomed the commission’s order as the claims of passing the budget was against the norms. He said the president and the members supporting him made false claims regarding the quorum and passing the budget. The judicial commission has declared the meeting invalid. The quorum was not complete. The president and the members supporting him should have also been penalised for hurting the sentiments of the community.What was the president’s response?HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda said they were not satisfied with the order as it would create further challenges in the smooth operations and passing the budget of the committee. He said some members were trying to disturb the operation for their vested interest and with members coming from different factions, it was not possible to get the decisions passed unanimously. It had been decided to challenge the decision, and a seven-member committee had been formed in this regard.

Why Judicial panel nullified budget meeting of Haryana Sikh gurdwara body

HSGMC senior vice-president stated quorum was not complete at meeting

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Why Judicial panel nullified budget meeting of Haryana Sikh gurdwara body

HSGMC senior vice-president stated quorum was not complete at meeting

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

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