Haryana Judicial Commission summons Sikh panel members, chief secy over budget dispute

The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission has summoned members of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), along with the committee’s chief secretary, following a petition challenging the claims related to the passing of the annual budget in the General House meeting.

The commission has directed them to appear in person or through a pleader on January 16.

According to information, HSGMC senior vice-president Gurmeet Singh approached the commission seeking a stay on the use and issuance of funds by the HSGMC and all institutions functioning under it. He alleged violations of provisions of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act and claimed no valid budget had been passed for the current financial year.

Gurmeet Singh also urged the commission to direct the production and preservation of records of the General House meeting. He further sought directions to the police to produce and preserve the location details of all committee members on January 7 and 8.

“A General House meeting was held on January 7 to pass the annual budget, but despite the fact that the quorum was incomplete, the committee president and some other members claimed that the budget has been passed. As per the Act, there should be a two-thirds majority to pass the budget. Instead of the required 33 members out of 49, there were 28 members and still they declared that they had the majority and the budget has been passed,” he said.

“To safeguard the funds from any misappropriation, I have requested the commission to put a stay on the use and issuance of funds. We also demand that all the decisions taken and orders issued in the meeting should be set aside and the members should be provided monthly statements of the expenses made and income,” Gurmeet Singh added.

Responding to a query, he said, “Due to unawareness about the financial situation of the committee, as well as the fact that members are not being consulted before any work, we decided to stay away from the meeting. Despite being the senior vice-president, I was not shown the meeting register so that their fake claims are not exposed.”

He further alleged, “Later, some members who were not present in the meeting were forced to sign the register. I have also approached the Akal Takht, as the ‘maryada’ of the Gurdwara was also violated in the meeting by making fake claims.”

Meanwhile, HSGMC chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda dismissed the allegations, stating, “Some members have been trying to create hurdles in the smooth functioning of the committee. They want to bring all the work to a standstill and defame the committee.”

“We have been working as per the Act and we will produce all the required information before the commission. I will meet the Akal Takht Jathedar, discuss all the issues the committee has been facing and seek further directions,” he said.