Contract of ‘buta parshad’ renewed

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 12

The SGPC has renewed its contract with the state Forest Department for offering “buta parshad” (free saplings) to devotees at the Golden Temple.

The three-year contract is valid till 2021. The signatory authority from the government was Forest Officer, Amritsar, Rajesh Gulati, whereas Deputy Secretary Lakhbir Singh represented the SGPC.

Gulati cited inflation for the increase in rates of saplings grown in the government nurseries at Ram Tirath road here.

The SGPC used to pay Rs 3.5 per plant since 2013 through the Nanhi Chhaan Public Charitable Trust, run by Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

As per the new agreement, the cost would be Rs 6 per plant. It was also agreed upon that the wages of a person who would deliver the plants would also be borne by the SGPC.

“On an average, 500 saplings are being supplied daily to the Golden Temple. The figure rises to 1,500 on special occasions,” Gulati said.