SGPC passes budget of Rs 1,487.41 crore for financial year 2026–27 amid resounding slogans of approval

Budget is only 0.9% compared to that of state government’s budget, yet SGPC continues to undertake significant works: Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami.
 

Along with earmarking Rs 33 crore for sarais (inns), special funds allocated for Panthic and public welfare activities, free education, and propagation of religion
 

Amritsar, March 28 , Kanwar Partap Singh -The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday passed a budget of Rs 1,487.41 crore for the financial year 2026–27 amid resounding religious slogans by members present. The budget session, held at Teja Singh Samundri Hall at the SGPC headquarters in Amritsar in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, was presided over by SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, while General Secretary Sher Singh Mandwala presented the budget.

Prominent personalities president during the session included Acting Head Granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib, Giani Amarjit Singh; Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj; and Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Tek Singh.
The SGPC budget for this year reflects an increase of 7.28% compared to the previous year. Presenting the budget, Sher Singh Mandwala shared details of income from various departments and institutions, along with allocations for future initiatives. He also highlighted the SGPC’s contributions in religious affairs, education, propagation of Sikhism, and public welfare.
Speaking to the media after the session, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said the budget reflects the sentiments of the Sikh sangat and places special emphasis on public facilities. A sum of Rs 33 crore has been allocated for the construction of new sarais (inns) related to Sri Darbar Sahib. He added that efforts will be made to further strengthen healthcare, education services, and achieve better outcomes in religious preaching.
Providing further details, Dhami said Rs 120 crore has been earmarked for the Dharam Prachar Committee, while Rs 1,127.34 crore has been allocated for gurdwaras. Special funds have also been arranged for the General Board Fund, Trust Fund, education, sports, printing presses, and educational institutions.
For Panthic welfare activities, Rs 7.61 crore has been allocated. This includes support for Nihang Singh jathebandis, legal assistance and lawyer fees for Sikhs lodged in jails, monthly honorariums for Bandi Singhs, pensions for families of those who sacrificed for Sikhi, assistance to families of martyrs and injured Sikhs, and support for religious soldiers, Sikligar and Vanjara Sikhs, as well as Sikh preaching through social organizations and village granthis.

An amount of Rs 12.50 crore has been reserved for free education for Sikh children. This includes fee support for Amritdhari students, free education for Amritdhari girls, aid for poor students, and preparation of Sikh youth for administrative and judicial services through Nishchay Academy. Additionally, Rs 5 crore has been set aside for coaching Sikh students who clear preliminary administrative exams to prepare for mains.
Similarly, Rs 13.25 crore has been allocated for Sikh preaching, Rs 7 crore for centenary celebrations, Rs 3.11 crore for sports, and Rs 1.60 crore for natural disasters. Financial assistance of Rs 66.77 crore has been earmarked for educational institutions, including infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and support for institutes such as Miri Piri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Shahabad Markanda, and Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib.

Advocate Dhami stated that the primary sources of the SGPC budget are offerings and dasvandh contributed by the Sikh sangat. He noted that the estimated budget has been increasing in recent years due to better financial management and regulation of expenditures. He reaffirmed the SGPC’s commitment to continue its work in line with the sentiments of the sangat, with a special focus on public services.
He also clarified that contrary to public perception, the SGPC budget is only 0.9% of the Punjab government’s budget, roughly equivalent to that of a large municipal corporation. Despite this, he said, the SGPC continues to undertake significant works with the blessings of the Guru.
The proceedings of the budget session were initiated by SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, while SGPC members Baba Gurpreet Singh and Ajmer Singh Khera also shared their views during the session. A large number of SGPC members were present during the session.