SHILLONG, AUG 26: The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) on Monday asked the state government to extend their deadline for responding to the blueprint for relocation of 342 families to September end.
The HPC has emphasised that the time set by the government is insufficient for them to consult with higher authorities of the Sikh community even as the 15-days’ time granted by the state expired on Monday.
In a statement, HPC Secretary Gurjit Singh said the committee wanted to seek the counsel of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in Amritsar, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and other senior community organisations and leaders as their guidance is crucial.
“Given the current engagements and prior commitments of the Sikh religious leadership, they have indicated that they will not be available for consultations for the next two to three weeks,” he said.
In light of these circumstances, the Harijan Panchayat Committee has requested that the next meeting on this issue be scheduled around the last week of September.
The committee said it is hopeful that they will be able to present a well-considered response that reflects the consensus of the broader community by that time and has sought the cooperation of the state government.
