SGPC serai upkeep by pvt firm comes under scanner

GS Paul
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 16

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s much talked about ‘Saragarhi Niwas’, a modern addition to its inns, is in news for wrong reasons. It has been alleged that a private hospitality firm in which an SGPC member has stake, has been obliged to take care of its maintenance, but on irrational rates.

An Amritsar-based social activist and former Congress leader Mandeep Singh Manna, who has procured documentary proof, claimed that since the inception of this inn, a private firm had been taking care of its sanitation and providing basic necessities for pilgrims who stayed over there at exorbitant rate.

“It’s sheer misappropriation of Guru di Golak in connivance with a handful of SGPC officials, including a secretary and a vice-president, whereas the president of this apex body looks the other way,” he said.

There are 238 double bed rooms with suites and two washrooms for general visitors in Saragarhi Niwas built at a cost of Rs 43 crore in 2017.

While ignoring the fair tendering process, the hospitality firm charged Rs 200 per room daily for housekeeping job. Another Rs 25,000 per month for washroom maintenance and taxes separately.

This comes out to around Rs 60,000 daily and Rs 18 lakh per month for sanitation of an inn which appeared to be quite irrational. This contract was given on April 27, 2017, on a trial basis only which was valid for a period of three months. After the lapse of this period, advertisements were given for inviting bids for the job on July 15, 2017. But till date it could not be executed. Since 2017, the same firm continued to “serve” as it had an influential SGPC member associated with it.

On October 10, 2017, a resolution was passed to conduct tendering process, but it could not be executed. When the objections were raised, the SGPC formed a committee on October 26, 2018, comprising Dr Roop Singh, Gurbachan Singh Karmoowala, Amrik Singh Vachhoa, Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Gurjit Singh Dhade and Sajjan Singh Bajjuman. They were supposed to conduct the tendering process, but it was not conducted and passed the deadline of December 14, 2018.

“When this issue was raised, this committee woke up from its slumber and announced to conduct tendering process on April 22 in which at least eight to 10 firms applied. But it was deferred for May 28, then further pushed up for July 11, but tenders were still not opened and the same firm was allowed to continue till date,” he said.

Amandeep Singh of Dine Inn, who also submitted quotation, viewed it as an eyewash exercise. “I had submitted to serve at the rate of Rs 200 per room daily inclusive of all taxes and washroom maintenance. Besides, I had offered to provide mandatory soap, shampoo, towel, toothpaste and brush. My tender could not qualify because I had no inside connections. Even today I am ready to serve and provide better facilities at much lower rates, but will the SGPC agree to play fair,” he asked.

Defying all charges, Golden Temple manager Jaswinder Singh Deenpur claimed that absolute transparency was adopted while allotting work.

“The existing firm had quoted the lowest rates and got the job. We are soon going to invite fresh bids. The earlier ones could not be executed due to technical reasons as members were not available on scheduled dates,” Deenpur added.

‘Paying exorbitant rates’ 

• It has been alleged that a private hospitality firm in which an SGPC member has stake, has been obliged to take care of its maintenance, but on irrational rates. 
• An Amritsar-based social activist Mandeep Singh Manna, who has procured documentary proof, claimed that since the inception of this inn a private firm had been taking care of its sanitation and providing basic necessities for pilgrims who stayed over there at exorbitant rate.