SGPC relief efforts for flood victims fully transparent, says Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami
PTC Web Desk: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has strongly rejected allegations made by some committee members regarding the organisation’s relief work for flood-affected families in Punjab.
In an official statement, Advocate Dhami said it was unfortunate that instead of standing with people devastated by the floods, a few members had chosen to engage in “political mudslinging” and spread false propaganda against the Sikh body.
He said as a collective Sikh institution, the SGPC had been actively working at the ground level to support those affected by the disaster. “As of September 10, more than Rs 77 lakh worth of relief services have been provided, including langar (community meals), essential supplies, diesel for strengthening embankments, and other urgent needs,” advocate Dhami stated.
The SGPC president clarified that full records of relief efforts are maintained and were shared with the media after the executive committee meeting held a day earlier. He said attempts to downplay or politicise these services were “deeply saddening and regrettable.”
Responding to criticism that the SGPC’s work was being linked to Shiromani Akali Dal politics, advocate Dhami called the charge “baseless and unfounded.” “The SGPC is a common institution of the Sikh community. Anyone can contribute to its services. Linking relief work to party politics is both unfair and misleading,” he said.
Advocate Dhami explained that the decision to provide diesel was taken on public demand right from the first day of the crisis. The initiative was launched from Gurdwara Sri Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi, and later extended to other gurdwaras as per requirements. The purchase and distribution, he said, strictly follow institutional procedures.
Advocate Dhami also addressed remarks made by Jaswant Singh Purain during the executive committee meeting, where resolution number 53 was discussed. He clarified that the resolution only confirmed the approvals given for emergency relief services and that details of expenditure are preserved by the respective gurdwaras with proper bills. These records, advocate Dhami noted, were also made public.
“It is surprising that an internal committee member would irresponsibly raise questions about the SGPC’s functioning when all details are open and transparent,” he remarked.
Advocate Dhami accused certain members of double standards, pointing out that until they switched allegiances, they never questioned the SGPC’s services. “When they were part of this very administration, everything seemed right to them. Now, after joining another faction, they claim everything is wrong. What kind of double standards are these?” he asked.
The SGPC president urged these members not to undermine the institution’s relief work during such a difficult time for Punjab. “It is the responsibility of the SGPC to stand with the people of Punjab in this hour of crisis, and the Sikh institution will fulfill this duty without any hesitation,” he said.
- PTC NEWS
