HT Correspondent

letterschd@hindustantimes.com

CHANDIGARH : Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday asked the “cash-rich” Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to pay $20 fee required of every pilgrim for travelling to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the newly opened Kartarpur corridor from its coffers at least to those from economically weaker sections who cannot afford to pay the amount.

The CM also urged the prime ministers of both India and Pakistan to waive the passport condition for travel through the corridor and instead accept other identity proofs, including Aadhaar card, driving licence etc as there were reports of confusion among pilgrims over the registration process.

In a press statement, he added, “These ID proofs should be accepted since there is no requirement of stamping of visa on the passport in any case. It’s not because of a lack of interest among people that few devotees are crossing over to the historic gurdwara but the conditions of passport and $20 fee are to be blamed. Lakhs of pilgrims are waiting to visit the shrine on the historic 550th Parkash Purb (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak but they simply cannot go.”

Amarinder pointed out that even as the Pakistan PM had tweeted before opening of the corridor that passport will not be needed for devotees visiting the Kartarpur shrine the decision was not formalised.

“If pilgrims are unable to make full use of the corridor then the whole purpose of this unique initiative will be defeated,” he added.

Pointing towards the lavish expenditure incurred by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on holding separate programmes to commemorate the 550th Parkash Purb at Sultanpur Lodhi, the CM said it was evident that the body was flush with funds.

“Instead of flaunting their money to satisfy their egos and make political statements through the religious occasion, they should spend the money on supporting the pilgrims, especially poor pilgrims who simply cannot afford to pay the fee to pay obeisance at the Kartarpur gurdwara,” he quipped.

“Why can’t the SGPC and their political masters, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and particularly the Badal family, shell out some money for the actual good of the community?” he asked.