sgpc-announces-13-876-cr-budget-for-2025-26-10-cr-surplus

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is set to hold its general house meeting on Friday, where it presented the budget for the 2025-2026 financial year. 

However, the meeting turned tense amid ongoing controversies over the appointment and removal of Takht Jathedars, sparking heated discussions and strong disagreements.

Several Sikh organisations, including Damdami Taksal, Sant Samaj, and Nihang groups, have planned a protest march towards the SGPC headquarters. They are demanding that the recent appointments be reversed and that the previous Jathedars be reinstated. Protest banners have been displayed, calling on Sikh activists to join the demonstration.

This will be the first meeting after SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami withdrew his resignation. The agenda includes discussions on gurdwara management, education, healthcare, and a key resolution regarding the appointment, jurisdiction, and removal of Takht Jathedars.

Amritsar, Punjab: SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal says, "The budget process, as you mentioned, makes today an important day for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The reason is that every devotee who donates money, whether in small or large amounts, offers it… pic.twitter.com/3VYRO8TXKb

— IANS (@ians_india) March 28, 2025

During the session, a resolution is expected to be passed against Union Minister Amit Shah for making derogatory remarks about Bhindranwale in his recent speech in Parliament.

The meeting will take place at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, where SGPC will present its budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The total income projected for the year is Rs 13,86,47,80,000, while the total expenses are estimated at Rs 13,76,47,80,000, resulting in a surplus of Rs 10 crore.

SGPC General Secretary Sher Singh Mandwala will present the budget, which is divided into several categories. The primary source of income is the Daswandh (10 per cent contribution) from gurdwara collections, which brings in Rs 58.3 crore, along with special assistance of Rs 16 crore, making a total revenue of Rs 86 crore.

The General Board Fund, structured under the Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1925, covers major expenses such as salaries for staff, travel costs, legal fees, audit charges, building maintenance, and financial aid. A total of Rs 86 crore has been allocated to manage these expenses.

Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma along with large number of Sikhs is heading towards Teja Singh Samundari Hall to stage a Dharna (protest) outside SGPC headquarters. They are demanding reinstatement of Jathedars removed by the SGPC executive. pic.twitter.com/Vps265Irnp

— Parmjeet Singh (@psgazi_) March 28, 2025

A significant amount of the budget is dedicated to gurdwara management and maintenance, with Rs 500 crore allocated for the upkeep and renovation of historic gurdwaras in India and abroad. Education is another priority, with Rs 400 crore set aside for Sikh educational institutions, scholarships, and new academic programmes. 

 

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Healthcare services will receive Rs 250 crore, which will be used for hospitals, dispensaries, and medical aid for the underprivileged.

Social welfare programs will be supported with Rs 200 crore to provide financial assistance to economically weaker Sikh families, widows, and orphans. 

Additionally, Rs 100 crore will be used to expand SGPC’s media division, including television, radio, digital platforms, and publications to spread Sikh teachings. Another Rs 50 crore has been designated for legal and advocacy efforts to protect Sikh rights.

Some key initiatives in the budget include establishing a new Sikh university for research and studies, expanding SGPC-run hospitals, developing an online Sikh heritage portal, and increasing financial support for economically disadvantaged individuals. More funds have been allocated for Sikh institutions and collaborations abroad.

Additionally, a budget of Rs 3.42 crore has been set aside for salaries and expenses of sub-offices, including those in Chandigarh, Talwandi Sabo, and Anandpur Sahib. 

 

Also Read: Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj assumes charge at Takht Kesgarh

Rs 3.45 crore has been allocated for post-retirement benefits for employees, while Rs 1.38 crore has been set aside for medical and accidental insurance coverage for members and employees.

For infrastructure development, Rs 10 crore has been reserved for building a new Nischay Academy and staff quarters. Other allocations include Rs 70 lakh for new vehicles, Rs 30 lakh for a solar power system at Gurdwara Kalgidhar Niwas in Chandigarh, and Rs 30 lakh for constructing a parking shed at the SGPC sub-office in Chandigarh. 

A reserve fund of Rs 6.20 crore has also been created for additional expenditures beyond these allocations.

SGPC also manages trust funds, which receive contributions from different gurdwaras. This year, Rs 65.36 crore has been allocated to these funds. The funds support Sikh history research, printing Gurbani scriptures, and providing aid for community welfare, education, and disaster relief. 

 

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Specific amounts have been designated for salaries, book printing, medical aid, pensions for families of martyrs, and legal assistance for imprisoned Sikhs.

The budget also includes Rs 55.80 crore for education, covering staff salaries, infrastructure development, and financial aid for educational institutions. Additional funds have been set aside for scholarships, sports activities, building maintenance, and cultural competitions.

During the meeting, a resolution was passed condemning Union Minister Amit Shah for allegedly using derogatory language against Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and the Khalsa community in Parliament. 

Several other resolutions were also passed, including the decision to commemorate the 350th Shaheedi Gurpurab of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji on November 25 at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib. 

As part of the celebrations, Nagar Kirtan processions will be organised from Jammu & Kashmir and Assam, beginning at Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, the birthplace of Guru Sahib.

 

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