Hand Over Purse Strings, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Tells Sgpc

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Hand over purse strings, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee tells SGPC

Yudhvir Rana,TNN | Aug 1, 2014, 03.28 AM IST

AMRITSAR: The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) on Thursday summoned the account books of eight major gurdwaras in the state in a clear bid to take control of the purse strings of the shrines. It also wrote to managers of banks with accounts of the gurdwaras not to clear any cheques issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee, taking the fight between the two bodies to the next level.

Although the high court has issued notices on a petition challenging the Haryana assembly's right to pass the HSGMC Act, it has not stayed its functioning.

Talking to TOI after their first executive meeting, HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda said they have summoned the account books at Gurdwara Neem Sahib in Kaithal by 5pm on Saturday. The executive body members have expressed concern over the ?explosive situation' due to the presence of SAD(B) leaders and SGPC task force in gurdwaras of Haryana.

Jhinda also insisted that SGPC pay salaries of gurdwara staff as HSGMC would be able to pay the employees only after they get physical possession and management of the shrines.

"The executive body has decided to write to Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh, SAD(B) patron Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar to vacate the gurdwaras," Jhinda said.

"They should understand that HSGMC is a legal body now and there is resentment in the hearts of Sikhs of Haryana over presence of SGPC and SAD(B) supporters, the situation could even take a bloody turn. We have humbly urged them to vacate the gurdwaras, the letters will be dispatched today," Jhinda added.

The other decisions taken during the executive body meeting include writing to Centre to allow HSGMC to send jathas to Pakistan. A special committee would also visit affected areas of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and would submit its report to the prime minister and home minister.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Hand-over-purse-strings-Haryana-Sikh-Gurdwara-Management-Committee-tells-SGPC/articleshow/39384170.cms