Former raagi takes on SGPC

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 9

Former Hazoori raagi Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala, a leader of the Sikh Sadbhawna Dal, today accused the SGPC of procuring furniture from a foreign company for its Saragarhi serai (inn) at prices higher than the market rates.

Addressing a press conference here, he said an agreement was arrived between the SGPC and a  Hong Kong-based firm. He added that the furniture was made in China and the deal was finalised at $3.33 lakh. He said 60 per cent of the amount had been paid.

He accused the committee of raising the building of the serai without obtaining an NOC from the Municipal Corporation, Amritsar. Wadala added that Rs 18 crore was initially earmarked for the inn; the cost had crossed Rs 65 crore, but the work was yet to be finished.

He questioned the motive behind buying  foreign-made furniture for 238 rooms of the inn, when international- quality items were available in the Kartarpur market.

Wadala reiterated that he would perform kirtan outside the residence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh on August 21 in protest against the alleged plunder of ‘Guru ki Golak’ (gurdwara donations).

SGPC additional secretary Daljit Singh Bedi refuted Wadala’s allegations.