Punjab Newsline: Ropar: Friday, June 01, 2012.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said that the SGPC should be kept out of the ambit of Right to Information(RTI) Act. While talking to reporters at Gurudwara Bhatta Sahib Ropar,Makkar said that SGPC was the religious body of the Sikhs and runs on the donations given by the people.
He said that since the SGPC worked under Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925,all its accounts were audited by the auditors of the central government. Moreover,there was also Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission to decide complaints regarding the mismanagement in the SGPC and any one could approach the Commission in this regard.
He said that under RTI Act anybody could seek frivolous information from SGPC like who has provided donations, how it was received and how many people partook Langar, how much food was prepared in the Langar, adding that it was not possible to provide such information.
Makkar said that bringing SGPC under the ambit of Right to Information Act was unfair and amounts to hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs.
It may be mentioned that the State Information Commissioner in its decisions had held that SGPC and Sri Guru Ramdas Charitable Trust, which is managed by SGPC were public authorities as such they were covered by the RTI Act to provide information sought by anyone regarding their affairs.
He also criticised Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna for not observing the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji as per approved Nanakshahi Calender.
Makkar said that Sarna had challenged the authority of Akal Takht by not following the directions of the Supreme temporal seat of Sikhs regarding the approved Nanakshahi Calender and was following Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in this regard.
Makkar said that Sikh masses of Delhi were not supporting Sarna and 400 Singh Sabhas of Delhi had observed the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev on May 25 ignoring the threats and allurements given by Sarna.
It may be mentioned that Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are observing the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev on June 16.
Makkar said that the SGPC had also contacted Auqaf Board and concerned Minister of Pakistan regarding the decision to observe June 16 and they had assured to look in to the matter. “The matter would be taken up with the higher authorities of Pakistan during the visit of SGPC Jatha to Pakistan for observing the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June”,he said.
Earlier,Makkar also started the work for the laying of interlocking tiles at Gurudwara Bhatta Sahib. He said that the Gurdwara Complex would be beautified.
He also laid the foundation stone of 445 room modern Sarai and Diwan Hall at Anandpur Sahib. Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Tarlochan Singb,Ropar MLA Dr.Daljit Singh Cheema,former minister Bibi Satwant Kaur Sandhu,SGPC members Paramjit Singh Lakhewal and Principal Surinder Singh were also present on the occasion.
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