Shiromani Committee Commits ₹20 Crore for Flood Relief Efforts

Amritsar, September 11, Nazrana Times Beuro 

 The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), led by President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, has decided to set aside an initial ₹20 crore for flood relief, making significant decisions to assist victims in various sectors.

After a meeting, Advocate Dhami told the media that the floods have caused immense damage across Punjab, destroying crops and covering fields with sand, which has created major problems for farmers. Local Gurdwaras have also suffered damage. He noted that the SGPC has been actively involved in relief work since the beginning of the floods, and following extensive discussion, the committee has set aside the initial fund.

One of the biggest challenges for affected farmers is leveling their fields for sowing. To address this, the SGPC will provide 8 lakh liters of diesel to those in need. Additionally, farmers with less than 10 acres of land will receive good quality wheat seeds for planting.

Advocate Dhami also announced that affected Gurdwaras would be given ₹50,000 each in aid. Furthermore, the SGPC will provide free books to students whose study materials were damaged in the floods. He mentioned that SGPC medical teams are already working in the affected areas. Following the receding floodwaters, 50 medical vans from Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College will be deployed to assist with post-flood health issues. The SGPC will also continue providing free langar (community kitchen) and dry rations to those in need.

Dhami appealed to the Punjab government to waive the VAT on diesel meant for farmers to maximize the relief effort. He also urged the public to contribute generously to the relief fund, emphasizing that these efforts are sustained by the Guru's treasury and the support of the Sikh community.

During the meeting, the SGPC's former employees' association presented a check of ₹1.01 lakh to Advocate Dhami for the relief fund. The committee also passed a resolution to honor and pay tribute to Baba Baljinder Singh Rara Sahib Wale, who recently passed away, as well as all who lost their lives in the floods.

In addition to President Harjinder Singh Dhami, the meeting was attended by senior committee members, including Senior Vice President S. Raghujit Singh Virk, Junior Vice President S. Baldev Singh Kalyan, and General Secretary S. Sher Singh Mandwala, among many others.

SGPC's Relief Efforts to Date Exceed ₹77 Lakhs

Advocate Dhami detailed the relief work already undertaken, stating that the SGPC has sent essential supplies worth over ₹77.40 lakh to flood-affected areas. Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib alone contributed a large quantity of langar provisions and essential items worth ₹23.85 lakh.

Other Gurdwaras have also made significant contributions:

• Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Muktsar Sahib: ₹3.89 lakh

• Gurdwara Patshahi Nauvin Baba Bakala Sahib: ₹3.65 lakh

• Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak: ₹2.51 lakh

• Gurdwara Gurusar Jamni Sahib, Bajidpur: ₹16.08 lakh

• Gurdwara Sahib Guru Ka Bagh: ₹2.06 lakh

• Gurdwara Sri Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi: ₹12.95 lakh

• Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo: ₹2.62 lakh

• Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Patiala: ₹9.66 lakh

This aid included diesel for strengthening river embankments, drinking water, tarps, powdered milk, cattle fodder, and other essential daily supplies.