Mumbai, June 30 (IANS) Taking into consideration the sentiments of the Sikh community regarding the proposed amendments to the old 1956 Act concerning the administrative management of the historic and sacred Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sachkhand Gurudwara in Nanded, the Maharashtra state government has taken a major decision to postpone the implementation of the Act for the time being.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the introduction of this Act in the legislature has been deferred.

A high-level committee will now be formed to seek the opinions of the Sikh community, and further steps will be taken only after that, informed Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday.

The Revenue Minister made this announcement at a press conference in the presence of Dr Vijay Satbir Singh and other members of the Hazur Abchalnagar Sachkhand Gurudwara.

Minister Bawankule stated that the false claim that the Maharashtra government would be given complete control of the Nanded Gurudwara has been strongly refuted. The entire management of the Gurudwara will be carried out only through the Sikh community.

The government’s intention is not to take over the Gurudwara. Instead, considering the increasing number of devotees, the aim is to provide world-class facilities and make the management more transparent.

The current law in force dates back to 1956, especially from the time of the erstwhile Hyderabad government. Taking into account the changing circumstances, the Justice (Retd.) Bhatia Committee had suggested certain amendments.

As per the proposed changes, the number of members in the Gurudwara Board has been increased from 17 to 21.

Earlier, 3 members were elected; now, the number has increased to 6. The selection of the President and Vice-President, previously handled by the government, will now be conducted through internal elections among the 21 elected members.

Representatives will be taken as follows: one each from Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Western Maharashtra revenue divisions, and two from Konkan-Mumbai, so that the Sikh community across Maharashtra gets broad representation. Six members will be from Nanded (local).

The Board will also include retired IAS and IPS officers from the Sikh community, District Collectors, and Sikh MPs and MLAs. Two members will be nominated by the SGPC (Amritsar).

A special committee consisting of an Additional Chief Secretary, Commissioner, and District Collector has been formed to decide what should be included and what should be excluded in this Act.

This committee will consult with the Sachkhand Committee, take their views and recommendations into account, and hold wide discussions with the Sikh community before preparing the final draft.

–IANS

sj/dan