Taking a stern stance on the internal financial rift within the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), the Gurdwara Judicial Commission has imposed a significant “fund rider” on the panel. The directive comes amidst a heated budget row and allegations of administrative irregularities, effectively freezing the committee’s ability to utilize large sums of money without explicit oversight.
The Judicial Order The Commission’s decision was prompted by a petition challenging the current leadership’s handling of the annual budget and the lack of consensus among committee members.
-
The Rider: The Commission has ruled that the HSGMC cannot release or spend funds exceeding [Omitted – usually a specific threshold like ₹10 lakh or ₹25 lakh] for any new projects or non-essential expenditures without prior approval from the Judicial Commission.
-
Routine Expenses Only: The panel is permitted to continue spending only on “routine and essential” activities, such as salaries for staff, daily religious services (maryada), and the maintenance of langar (community kitchen) across Gurdwaras in Haryana.
-
Audit Requirement: The Commission has also directed a thorough audit of the expenditures incurred by the current executive body over the last six months to ensure transparency.
Roots of the Dispute The crisis within the HSGMC has been brewing for weeks, with two factions at odds over:
-
Budget Approval: Allegations that the annual budget was passed without a proper general house meeting.
-
Resource Allocation: Disagreements over the funding of new educational and medical institutions proposed by the panel.
-
Leadership Validity: A section of the committee has questioned the legitimacy of the recent executive appointments, leading to a legal stalemate.
Impact on Gurdwara Management While the “fund rider” ensures that the golak (offering box) money is not misappropriated, it also threatens to stall several developmental projects planned for various Gurdwaras. Supporters of the current panel argue that the restriction will hinder social welfare programs, while the opposing faction has welcomed the move as a necessary check on “unauthorized spending.”
Next Hearing The Judicial Commission has summoned the top office-bearers of the HSGMC to appear with all financial records in the next hearing. The future of the committee’s financial autonomy depends on its ability to satisfy the Commission regarding its budget transparency and internal democratic processes.
