Clarifying the transition of power regarding several key entities in the district, the Sirsa administration has officially handed over the management of 10 educational and social institutions back to the Dera Sacha Sauda Management (Dera Trust).
The move follows a specific order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which ruled that the government-appointed administrators—who had been in place since the August 2017 violence—should now relinquish control.
To Whom Was the Control Handed? The administrative and financial control has been transferred from the District Administration (DC Sirsa’s office) to the authorized representatives and trustees of the Dera Sacha Sauda.
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Recipient: The Dera Sacha Sauda Management/Trust, which originally governed these bodies before the state takeover.
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The Process: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sirsa confirmed that while the daily operations and management are now with the Dera Trust, the government has not completely withdrawn oversight. The Trust must submit regular reports to the district authorities.
Condition of the Handover The High Court’s decision to return these institutions—which include girls’ schools, professional colleges, and vocational centers—comes with strict riders:
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Financial Monitoring: The Dera management must ensure that the funds of these 10 institutions are used solely for their intended educational and welfare purposes.
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Audit Rights: The Sirsa administration retains the right to conduct surprise audits and monitor the recruitment of staff to prevent any administrative irregularities.
This handover marks a significant shift in the legal and administrative landscape of Sirsa, ending nearly nine years of direct government management of the Dera’s core educational infrastructure.
