Amritsar, March 4, 2021:
The budget session of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will be held on March 30, in which the budget of Gurdwaras including SGPC’s Dharam Prachar Committee, trust funds, press, general board fund, Sikh Itihas Research Board and educational institutions will be presented.
Speaking after the meeting of executive committee held in Amritsar on Thursday, SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur said that the budget session would be held at the SGPC headquarters at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, Amritsar and copies of the budget would be sent to all the SGPC members before the budget date.
Elaborating the decisions taken in the meeting by the SGPC executive committee, Bibi Jagir Kaur said, “It has been approved that due to the increase in temperature, the SGPC will provide the facility of tin sheds to the farmers sitting on protests at Delhi borders. Fans would also be provided in these sheds to protect them from heat. At the same time the services of langars, medical aid and toilets, etc. would continue as earlier during the Kisan Sangharsh (farmers’ movement).”
SGPC president said that the executive committee has also taken an important decision for the cleanliness and greenery in the environment under which a large number of saplings dedicated to the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib would be planted.
She said that at the same time various ceremonies will be held to celebrate this historic day on a grand scale.
Bibi Jagir Kaur said, “Nagar Kirtan would be started on March 15 from Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Sri Amritsar, the birthplace of ninth Guru dedicated to his 400th birth anniversary, which would be completed in Delhi. The main function will be held on May 1 at Amritsar, which will be attended by prominent personalities of the country and representatives of the Panth.”
Bibi Jagir Kaur informed that various events related to the centenary have been started.
“A series of events across the country will be completed before the main function of birth anniversary. These ceremonies will be held at Bangladesh, Patna Sahib, Nanakmata Sahib, Dhamtan Sahib in Haryana, Kanpur and other parts of the country as well as at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Baba Bakala Sahib, Sri Amritsar, etc. In order to commemorate the occasion, meetings would be held with the members of the SGPC who would further liaise with the sangat in their respective constituencies”, said Bibi Jagir Kaur.
SGPC president said that in response to the letter written by the SGPC to the Government of India, the government has sought the opinion of the SGPC regarding the issuance of commemorative coins, postage stamps and letter envelopes on the occasion of 400 year birth centenary, which would be decided by the sub-committee formed for the same.
Bibi Jagir Kaur said, “A report would be sent to the Government of India in the light of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s baani (holy writings) and his life history.”
Replying to a question, Bibi Jagir Kaur said, “The Government of India should not hurt the sentiments of Sikhs regarding the reopening of Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan. The opening of the corridor of this holy shrine of the first Guru should be announced immediately.”
Regarding the Sikh jatha (group of pilgrims) going to Pakistan on the occasion of Vaisakhi, SGPC president said that the process is being completed by the SGPC and corona vaccination would be mandatory for the pilgrims going to Pakistan. She said that the pilgrims who want to go to Pakistan should get their vaccinations on time.
In the meeting of the executive committee, senior vice-president Surjit Singh Bhittewad, junior vice-president Baba Buta Singh, general secretary adv Bhagwant Singh Sialka, chief secretary adv Harjinder Singh Dhami, executive member Baba Charanjit Singh Jassowal, Navtej Singh Kauni, Baldev Singh Chunghan, Satwinder Singh Tohra, Ajmer Singh Khera, Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan, Harbhajan Singh Masana, Bibi Malkit Kaur Kamalpur, Mithu Singh Kahnke, Amrik Singh Shahpur, secretary Mahinder Singh Ahli, Sukhdev Singh Bhurakohna, Partap Singh, Sukhminder Singh, assistant secretary Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Tejinder Singh Padda, Sulakhan Singh Bhangali, OSD Amrik Singh Latifpur, Dr Sukhbir Singh, Satbir Singh Dhami and superintendent Malkit Singh Baherwal were present.
