Amritsar, March 28, 2025 (Yes Panjab News)
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) passed budget of Rs 1386.47 crore for the financial year 2025-26.
The budget session held in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib at the Teja Singh Samundri Hall located at the SGPC office was presided over by Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, while General Secretary Sher Singh Mandwala presented the budget. Additional Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib Giani Amarjit Singh and Granthi Giani Keval Singh were present during the session.
The budget of Rs 1386.47 crore passed by the SGPC this year has recorded an increase of 9.95% over the previous year. While presenting the budget, General Secretary Sher Singh Mandwala shared the details of the income to be received by various departments and institutions and disclosed the amount kept for future works.
He also shared the details of the Panthic, educational, religious campaign and public welfare works carried out by the SGPC in the past period.
According to Mandwala, the Sikh organization under the leadership of SGPC President Advocate Dhami has done important work for religious campaign, education, Panthic works and public welfare and this time too, special amount has been arranged for these areas in the budget.
Talking to reporters after the budget session, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the budget presented by General Secretary Sher Singh Mandwala is a reflection of the feelings of the Sangat and special care has been taken for the facilities for the Sangat.
Under this, efforts will be made to achieve better results by effectively increasing new Sarais (inns), health and education services and introducing new reforms and guidelines in the field of religious preaching and campaign.
Sharing details, he said that this year the budget of the Dharam Prachar Committee is Rs 110 crore, while the budget of Gurdwara Sahibs is Rs 1062 crore.
Similarly, special funds have been arranged for General Board Fund, Trust Fund, Education Fund, Sports, Printing Presses and Educational Institutions. He said that Rs 4.95 crore has been kept for Panthic welfare works, Rs 8.40 crore for free education to Sikh children, Rs 3.09 lakh for sports, Rs 1.50 crore for natural disasters, Rs 44 lakh for free dispensaries established in various Gurdwaras.
He said that Rs 2.63 crore has been reserved for the ongoing Nishchai Academy to prepare Sikh youth for administrative and judicial services related competitive exams, Rs 1.95 crore for giving free kakaars (symbols of faith) for Amrit Sanchar.
Similarly, Rs 1.14 crore has been reserved for spreading the religious preaching campaign, Rs 60lakh for the affairs of the Sikh prisoners, Rs 60 lakh for Sikligar Sikhs, Rs 2.50 crore for fees of Amritdhari students, Rs 2 crore for free education to Amritdhari girls, Rs 8 crore for Miri Piri Medical College, Haryana, and Rs 8 crore for Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University.
Advocate Dhami said that the main source of the SGPC budget is the amount donated by the Sangat and Daswandh. He said that for the last two-three years, an increase has been recorded from the estimated amount of the budget, which is the result of adjusting the expenses according to the need and regularizing them.
He expressed his commitment that the work of the Sikh organization will be continued in accordance with the spirit of the Sangat and especially the facilities provided to the community will be given priority.
He specifically mentioned that when the governments are proving to be unsuccessful in spreading education, the contribution of the SGPC in this field in the society is of great importance, which is why a large amount has been kept in the budget to boost education.
The SGPC President termed the violation of conduct by some members during the budget session as unfortunate and said that such a phenomenon is not right in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Advocate Dhami said that everyone’s opinion is respected, but it should be done within the conduct and rules.
He clarified that he himself wanted to talk about the ongoing discussion about the Jathedars of Takhts on the agenda, but some members did not consider it appropriate to listen to him and they kept violating the conduct.
The SGPC President said that he himself is serious about making rules regarding the appointment, jurisdiction and retirement of Jathedars, that is why in principle approval has been given in this regard in the session and suggestions will be taken in this regard soon and a policy will be made after considering them through the committee to be formed.
He said that this is a serious Panthic matter which he is ready to discuss with everyone but it should be done in a disciplined manner. He appealed to all the members to cooperate and move towards a solution to this matter with confidence.
During the budget session 123 members of the SGPC were present.
