Will set up varsity, take control of Miri Piri institute: Gurdwara panel chief

While Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda has announced his plans to establish a university in the state and take over the control of the Miri Piri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, a faction of the committee members has advised him to focus on upgrading the institutes already under the committee’s control.

Unhappy with the announcements, the dissenting members said given the fact the HSGMC has an annual budget of just over Rs 100 crore, the chief should refrain from making such public announcements without consulting the general house. Both the projects will require an annual budget of hundreds of crores.

HSGMC member and Akal Panthak Morcha leader Harmanpreet Singh said, “The annual budget of the HSGMC is over Rs 100 crore, of which the committee will get 35 per cent for development works. We respect the sentiments of the HSGMC chief, and we also want to see the committee build bigger educational institutions, but there are three schools, and two colleges under the HSGMC in the state, and there is a need to upgrade these institutions first. Similarly, the issue of the Miri Piri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Shahabad is a tricky one, and hence the SGPC and HSGMC should resolve it amicably.”

“The Miri Piri institute is not being run by the SGPC, but by a trust, which was formed for the smooth management of the medical institution. The SGPC chief is the chairman of the trust, and the SGPC provides a budget for the smooth functioning of the institution. It has a monthly pay bill of Rs 1.25 crore. A matter related to the institute is also pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court,” said HSGMC member Baldev Singh Kaimpur, who is also a member of the trust.

“Any forceful attempt to take control over the management will only invite trouble for the institute. It has an OPD of nearly 600 patients a day, and there are plans to start the MBBS classes. Instead of interfering in the smooth operations of the Miri Piri institute, the HSGMC chief should focus on building new hospitals, serai and schools,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jhinda said, “With the formation of the HSGMC, all gurdwaras, educational institutions and other properties that were earlier under the control of the SGPC have now come under the control of the HSGMC. On the same lines, the SGPC should hand over the control of the Miri Piri institute to the HSGMC. The institute is being controlled by the SGPC and we will take adequate steps to get control over its management. The matter will be discussed with the SGPC chief soon. We have already raised the issue with the state government. We have planned to establish a gurdwara and a serai near the institute for people who arrive here for treatment.”

“We have been working with the objective of providing good education to children, and as part of the programme, besides upgrading the existing institutions, we have decided to open a university. Instead of discouraging the other committee members, those who have been opposing our proposals should contribute and help the committee,” he added.

Haryana Tribune