Amid rift, stone laid for Sikh panel’s head office in Kurukshetra
Dissenting members say project violates Judicial Commission directions
Amid an ongoing dispute within the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), the foundation stone for the committee’s new head office was laid in Kurukshetra on Wednesday.
HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, along with executive members and community representatives, attended the ceremony, while dissenting members stayed away.
Jhinda said the existing office lacked adequate space. “The existing building from where the committee has been running its office was earlier the Dharma Prachar office of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). It lacks adequate space for the office employees, office-bearers and has no halls to hold meetings and gatherings. In the executive body meeting, it was decided to get a new office of the committee constructed.”
He said, “The head office of the committee will now be located on the premises of Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi Pehli. The sacred place is associated with Guru Nanak Dev. The committee also has a three-acre land near the Gurdwara where a new Serai will be built for the devotees who reach Kurukshetra in large numbers, and also develop a parking space.”
“The new head office will come as a big respite not only for the office- bearers and employees but also the people who visit the office from various parts of the state… We are expecting that the drawing will be received in a week and we will try to get the construction done in six months,” he said.
On the dispute within the committee, Jhinda said, “Some people have the tendency of creating hurdles and obstacles in the smooth functioning of the committee. We have been making efforts to ensure smooth functioning and provide facilities to the devotees.”
However, senior vice-president Gurmeet Singh objected to the move. “The issue regarding the legitimacy of the budget meeting is still pending before the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission… There are clear directions from the commission that the committee can’t make any major capital expenditure without the permission of the commission, and yet the foundation stone for the head office was laid today. The directions of the commission are being violated.”
Senior member Didar Singh Nalvi also criticised the project. “We need educational institutes instead of new offices. Moreover, without having the budget passed, adequate funds and required approvals, the president should have refrained from laying the foundation stone of such a major project. The committee should also focus on healthcare and improving the condition of educational institutions running under the HSGMC.”
