Nagara Foundation halts gurdwara renovation work in Pakistan
Darpan News Desk IANS, 20 Jan, 2022 12:05 PM
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) US-based Ranjit Nagara Foundation, which was overseeing the 'karsewa' (renovation/construction) of Gurdwara Chowa Sahib in Jhelum, Pakistan and other local gurdwaras, has notified that they has stopped the construction activities due to non-compliance of ETPB/PSGPC in providing them bills and expenditure details of the works carried out till date.
Satpreet Singh, Director of Ranjit Nagara Foundation, revealed that as per US rules, their foundation has to provide documentation of their expenditure to Internal Revenue Service, Department of Justice, annually which is further updated on the department's site for public or on before May 15, but the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) office has not provided the requisite documents till date. Thus, the NGO has to put its activities on hold.
Misappropriation of gurdwara funds by ETPB/PSGPC (Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) officials had been reported in the past as well.
The Nagara Foundation is largely funded by the Sikh diaspora with resources being further transferred to Pakistan
A man previously arrested in connection with the case, 29-year-old Gurjeet Singh, has been remanded in custody to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on February 19 after being charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place this week.
Sindh Minister for Minorities Affairs, Hari Ram Kishori, on Tuesday took cognisance of the incident, which took place last week in Hala town of Matiari district in Sindh province, and asked for a police report.
