Now,SGPC chief in a spot for spending Rs 1.62 cr to fuel his official car

While alleging that pilferage of funds was taking place from the gurdwara’s golaks (offering boxes),the leaders asked how there had been no debates on budget and that financial plans are passed arbitrarily without discussions. The Morcha maintained that fiscal deficits can be witnessed in the annual budget despite the fact that the revenue of gurdwaras,including the Golden Temple,show a major rise in the wake of more devotees visiting the spot.

On the other hand,Makkar and his supporters called it a “false propaganda”. “This is a false propaganda by the agents of the Congress,” said Makkar,referring to comments by Panthic Morcha leaders like Paramjit Singh Sarna and Manjit Singh Calcutta.

The Morcha leaders have waged a war of words against Makkar and the ruling SAD(B) leaders against “corruption” in the SGPC,seeking transparency in the working of the religious body,political interference and failure to protect Sikh issues.

“We just want to tell Makkar that while he is spending crores on vehicles in the name of dharm parchar,the number of Sikhs is decreasing due to a large number of youth turning apostate,” said Sarna.

Makkar,however,claimed that these leaders have realised that they will be defeated in the SGPC polls and thus,were diverting the attention of the people from core issues. “The SGPC had been at the forefront to raise Sikh issues. These leaders foresee their defeat and thus,at the behest of the Congress,they are making misleading statements. The fuel budget they are talking about is the total of all vehicles — including security vehicles and the cavalcade — not just of my official car as they are posing it to be,” said Makkar.

SAD (Amritsar) head Simranjit Singh Mann,who is independently contesting the polls,too have made scathing attack on Makkar and the SAD(B) — currently controlling the SGPC — accusing it of indulging in “corruption” and total “administrative failure”.

SAD(B) chief and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Panthic Morcha is the “B team” of the Congress and speak their language.

‘Explain Rs 1.62-cr fuel expense on a car’

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asserted that the Akalis will have to give account of each and every rupee of the SGPC funds they have squandered away. “SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar must explain where did he spend Rs 1.62 crore during last year. The SGPC president is entitled to a single car. The amount of Rs 1.62 crore in one year amounts to Rs 44,000 per day which is simply unbelievable and needs to be probed,” he added.