Amritsar, March 31: The SGPC on Friday passed Rs 1,159.67-crore budget for 2018-19, with an aim to promote Sikhism and education, besides helping the deprived section of the community.
SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal increased the discretionary fund of members from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh each.
The budget was presented by SGPC general secretary Gurbachan Singh Karmuwal and was unanimously accepted by 110 of the 175 members.
The Sikh premier body has kept aside Rs 688 crore for gurdwaras to preach the religion and conduct gurmat programmes. The Dharam Parchar committee has been given Rs 56 crore separately.
The SGPC runs 53 schools and 37 colleges for which Rs 36.50 crore has been reserved. For education and infrastructure, Rs 228 crore has been allocated.
Sikh education made compulsory in its primary-level schools. Around Rs 78 lakh have been kept for organising gurmat and Khalsai games for them.
Other provisions are Rs 1 lakh each for Sikh students, who excel in sports, agriculture, science etc; Rs 1.5 crore for deserving postgraduate and PhD students of religious studies; Rs 1 lakh for Sikhs who qualify for IAS/IPS and Rs 75 lakh for PCS; Rs 51,000 each for students who grab first 20 positions in board exams; and Rs 1.89 crore for underprivileged students.
Source Tribune India
