Elections for apex Sikh body held

Raina lauds participation, hails winners

Srinagar: All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina Wednesday appreciated the participation of people belonging to Sikh community of Jammu and Kashmir for participating in elections for Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (GPC).

The elections for GPC were held today after a gap of 13 years.

Raina also thanked the state government for conducting the elections as desired by the Sikh community. He, however, said the government has not conceded to APSCCs demand of conducting delimitation of the GPC constituencies.

We have not only been demanding delimitation of constituencies of the GPCs of all the districts but also rationalization of voters list, he said, adding, These demands were not fulfilled.

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While questioning the role of government machinery, Raina said printed voter list of Sikhs for election is not as per the last Assembly election and the voter list does not contain photographs and EPIC card details.

Under the fresh guidelines of Election Commission of India these are statutory requirements and need to be updated from time to time. The state government should intervene in this matter and and take action against those officers who have not adhered to the decision of updating of voter list,” he said.

The Sikh leader said that because of such lapses by government authorities, people belonging Rangreth constituency protested and boycotted the elections. The people also approached the court after they found three voter lists were issued of the same date. Court stayed the election for the constituency and directed authorities for holding fresh elections for the same, he said.

Meanwhile, the APSCC Chairman congratulated all the members elected to the GPC. Prominent winners from district Srinagar, Navtej Singh, Moti singh, Bikram Singh ; From Budgam District, SantPal Singh, Balbir Singh ; From district Pulwama, Dr.Joginder Singh Shant and Mitha Singh ; and from District Baramulla, Tara Singh and Jagdev Singh.

The APSCC said the delay of 13 years in holding these elections has created “indiscipline” in the affairs of the various Gurudwaras.

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