Amritsar, June 8: Amid opposition, the SGPC and Akal Takht on Thursday endorsed the financial aid offered by the Union Government for langar under the Seva Bhoj Yojana.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh sent an appreciation note to the Centre and the state government for waiving the GST on langar purchases.
The SGPC too is feeling relieved of extra financial burden as the Golden Temple’s kitchen bill comes to around Rs 45 crore annually and till date, Rs 3.2 crore has been paid as GST.
However, it will be a short-term relief as the reimbursement of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) under Seva Bhoj Yojana would be applicable only on purchases of specific items for distribution as free food. Further, it will be applicable for two financial years (2018-19 and 2019-20).
Two former SGPC executive members — Kiranjot Kaur and Sukhdev Singh Bhaur — are of the view that this temporary benefit will leave a permanent dent in the historic significance and the concept of langar by considering it as a free food service.
They feel that it will result in government’s undue interference in Sikh religious affairs as the SGPC will have to furnish details of the grant utilisation annually.
Kiranjot Kaur has challenged SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal to hold a debate on the issue of “sarkari financial aid”.
“Langar is not limited to free food. It is considered ‘parshad’ for which the devotees pitch in with financial or manual seva. It is a community’s initiative which is based on humanity, equality and volunteer service,” she said.
Bhaur said: “On the lines of Tirupati Temple, the Centre should offer complete exemption of tax on langar.”
Longowal said: “The matter is being dragged into unnecessary controversy. What is the harm if it assists us in managing our financial burden.”
Source Tribune India
