Haryana Gurdwara Committee: Five Facts You Need To Know

1) Until the formation of the separate committee for Haryana Gurdwaras, the Akali-dominated SGPC had control over Gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.

2) SGPC has a total of 190 members, out of which 170 are elected.� From the elected members, 157 are from Punjab, 11 from Haryana and one each from Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.� Haryana Sikhs had complained over lack of representation in the SGPC, as well as lack of initiatives by the SGPC in Haryana.� Interestingly, most positions in Haryana Sikh institutions are filled by employees�sent by SGPC from Punjab, rather�than local Haryana�Sikhs being hired.�

3) Estimated annual revenue from Haryana Gurdwaras is Rs. 107 Crore, or roughly $18 Million USD.� Haryana Sikhs claim that the revenue generated from the Gurdwaras there is spent in Punjab rather than in�Haryana.

4) A number of SGPC funded institutions have now been transferred to private trusts.� For example, Miri Piri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Shahabad, is now operated by a trust, with Parkash Badal as its President. �Makkar and Bibi Jagir Kaur are other board members.

5) While there is a huge uproar over the formation of HSGPC, there is no fuss about a separate Gurdwara Committee in Delhi.� It is also important to note that SGPC has no control over Gurdwaras run by the Damdami Taksal, Nihung Dals, Nanaksar, Rara Sahib and dozens of other institutions; however it maintains positive relation with many of these organizations.� A different treatment is however being given to Haryana Sikhs.