Amritsar, April 27
Mr Harbeant Singh, Personal Assistant to the SGPC Chief, today replaced Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan as Secretary of the SGPC who had resigned yesterday in the wake of the decision of the Executive to remove all employees who had attained the age of 58. Mr Raghbir Singh, Additional Secretary, has taken the charge of PA to the SPGC Chief.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the decision to remove the employees above the age of 58 years was taken to remove Dr Bachan as he was not keeping good rapport with Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, SGPC Chief. The relations between Dr Bachan and the SGPC Chief got strained when the latter categorically refused to honour the deans, registrars and senior professors of various universities in the country who had gathered at the information office of the SGPC. This had happened much before the refusal of “siropa” (robe of honour) to Mr Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, during his visit to the Golden Temple. Dr Bachan had pleaded that the information office had been working like Public Relation wing of the SGPC and hence there was no harm in using this office to establish links with the dignitaries belonging to other faiths.

Later, the official noting of Dr Bachan which highlighted the “siropa scam” had virtually annoyed the SGPC Chief and certain other office-bearers who had recommended decreasing of the ‘cut’ imposed on the purchase of sub-standard cloth for siropa. When contacted Dr Bachan said he had been considered as ‘constant irritant’ for some senior leaders as he did not allow anybody to violate the rules and regulations of the SGPC. “I was considered as scare crow, as I was committed to give flawless administration”, he added. Dr Bachan and he could not complete some of his ambitious projects like providing of ‘pure and filtered water’ at ‘Hr Ki Pouri’ due to procedural hazards. He claimed that he was instrumental in saving at least 15 per cent of ‘langar’ wastage and had made available spoons in ‘langar hall ‘with the result much of the food was saved from being wasted. Dr Bachan said he would definitely write a book on his ‘experience’ as the SGPC Secretary. He, however said it was wrong to say that he had ‘wasted time’ during his tenure as the Secretary of the SPGC. “I regret one thing that my talent was not exploited fully”. He, however, said that he would continue to be in touch with the SGPC so that the ambitious projects could be completed well in time.

Earlier, Dr Bachan was in web of controversy when a fact finding team comprising three SGPC members had recommended his immediate repatriation to Guru Nanak Dev University following some financial irregularity. Dr Bachan was appointed as OSD when Bibi Jagir Kaur, became the SGPC Chief. After the unceremonious removal of Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi was appointed the SGPC Chief. Both Mr Talwandi and Dr Bachan did not hold good relations due to various reasons.