100 SGPC members sacked

AMRITSAR, MARCH 30: More than 100 employees of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC were axed on Monday by the executive co...

AMRITSAR, MARCH 30: More than 100 employees of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC were axed on Monday by the executive committee. The meeting was chaired by SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.

It also decided to sack all those employees recruited after February 16, 1999, the date on which 103 SGPC members had served a no-confidence motion on former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra.

The executive committee also decided to grant three increments to all SGPC employees on the eve of Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. It may be recalled that Tohra at the meeting of the executive committee at Jind had granted one increment to all the employees.

The members of the executive also cleared the budget proposals for the year 1999-2000.

Earlier, the SGPC created history of sorts by holding the longest ever executive committee meeting here. The meeting, which began at 10.15 am was inconclusive even at 8.30 pm. SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur arrived at the meeting at 11.15 am. She had nominated anexecutive member Kiranjot Kaur to preside over in her absence.

Out of 15 executive members, only 13 attended Monday8217;s meeting. While one member Suba Singh was injured in an accident, junior vice president Kewal Singh abstained from the meeting. He is the son of Akali leader Jagdev Singh Talwandi and was an aspirant for the presidentship of the SGPC. Senior vice president Balbir Singh Pannu, who was also front-runner for the top post, arrived two hours late at the meeting. He also did not attend the SGPC members8217; meeting addressed by Jagir Kaur on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the SGPC authorities swung into action to deny an alleged report that the SGPC had taken forcible possession of the office of World Sikh Council. The report was circulated in local circles by a person identified as Jaswant Singh Bhullar.

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The office of World Sikh Council, located inside the office of Akal Takht, was taken under control by the SGPC, the same day when the Akal Takht office was locked. Both the offices have been lying closed forthe last one week.

Giani Puran Singh, acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, addressed Khalsa Darbar at Akal Takht last evening, making his first appearance after his installation. Bibi Jagir Kaur also addressed the Darbar. She also announced to discontinue the practice of holding Khalsa Darbar.