Amritsar, April 16
In a significant development, the SGPC Executive today authorised Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, President, to constitute a high-powered committee to frame rules and regulations for the appointment, removal and functioning of Sikh high priests. The committee will consist of SGPC members, representatives of various Sikh organisations and Sikh
intellectuals.
In the absence of any rule, the appointments of the Sikh high priests have been leading to many controversies thereby creating confusion in the Panth. Even now Bhai Ranjit Singh considers himself as “real Jathedar” of Akal Takht. The committee will submit its report to the SGPC shortly.
Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, had directed the SGPC to frame rules and regulations for the appointment and removal of Sikh high priests as many jathedars were removed unceremoniously on one pretext or the other.
The SGPC Executive which met at Guru Nanak Nivas here today took a serious note of the step of Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, an SGPC member and a Member of Parliament, for giving recognition to
the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, during his recent visit to Pakistan Mr Badungar said the SGPC could not accord recognition to a gurdwara committee headed by a non-Sikh.
In yet another important development, the SGPC Executive announced to give a 4 per cent increase in the basic salary of all SGPC members from the next month. Apart from this every SGPC employee would be given Rs 6000 interest-free loan. The step seems to have been taken to appease the employees as general elections of the committee are round the corner.
Replying to a question, Mr Badungar said a two-member committee had been constituted to probe into the allegations of purchase of sub-standard cloth for ‘siropa’ (robe of honour) worth lakhs of rupees. The committee would submit its report in the next meeting to be held on April 25 here. The Secretary, SGPC, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, had written to Mr Badungar about the diametrically opposite recommendations of imposing a cut on the amount against the supply of sub-standard cloth worth lakhs of rupees by a local firm. The two-member committee include Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, a secretary general of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal and Mr Mohinder Singh Romana, President of the Takht Patna Sahib Management Committee.
Mr Badungar said a sub-committee would also be constituted to decide the future of 489 employees who wee dismissed on the directions of the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission. They were recruited when Bibi Jagir Kaur was the SGPC chief. He said the committee would also look into the matters pertaining to demotions and promotions of the employees done in the past.
