Monday, March 22, 2010

Better Facilities for Pilgrims at Sikh Gurdwaras Assured

ISLAMABAD — The federal government has spent Rs260 million for maintaining and up-keeping Sikh Gurdwaras across the country while millions more have been earmarked for 22 other projects designed to improve facilities, Chairman of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Syed Asif Hashmi said.

Talking to reporters at Gurdwara Punja Sahib Hasan Abdal, one of the most important Sikh temples in the country, Hashmi said three of the new projects would be undertaken at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. Another 16 will be launched in Nankana Sahib in addition to the three earmarked for Punja Sahib Hasan Abdal.

“The PPP government right from the first day in office in 2008 embarked on an aggressive plan for addressing the issues related to the religious shrines of Sikhs and other minorities,” Hashmi said. He said Rs49 million were spent on providing additional facilities and improvements in Sikh Gurdwaras alone. In the first four months of 2009 an amount of Rs172 million was spent on this count. Special attention was paid on providing safe and comfortable journey to Gurdwaras and temples.

He said all possible facilities are provided to Hindus, Sikhs and other minorities including security, on-site comforts and uninterrupted observance of festivals and religious rites during sacred days. The trust also plans to build a 100-bed hospital at the Punja Sahib along with a well-equipped trauma centre where modern treatment facilities would be made available.

The project for ‘lungerkhana’ at Punja Sahib to allow free meal had remained dormant for five years but has now been completed within four months. A three-storey building has been completed at a cost of Rs20 million where about 500 people can have their meals.

For the upcoming Bisakhi festival fool-proof arrangements have been made to ensure security and peaceful atmosphere for yatrees, he said.

with thanks : source : khaleejtimes.com
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