Jagan gives nod for formation of committee for Sikhs

Amaravati: A Sikh delegation led by Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission member Jithendarjith Singh called on Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office here on Monday.

The delegates told the Chief Minister that for many decades they have been living in various parts of the state and receiving benefits of government schemes being provided to those who are eligible through the village and ward secretariats. Steps should be taken by the government to constitute a corporation for Sikhs and their affiliated communities for effective implementation of the Navaratnalu, they suggested.

Considering their plea, the Chief Minister has given his nod for constituting a committee for Sikhs. On the request made by the representatives to exempt gurudwaras from property tax, he instructed the officials to remove the property tax on gurudwaras. Apart from that, instructions were also given to officials to provide benefits for granthis (priests of gurudwaras) on par with priests, pastors, and maulvis.

Further, the Chief Minister also agreed to declare Guru Nanak Jayanti as a holiday on Kartika Poornami and announced that he will provide all necessary support to establish a minority educational institution. A resolution in this regard will be made in the next Cabinet meeting, he said, adding that all measures should be taken in order to increase the businesses of MSMEs run by various social groups and all the proposals should be materialised within 10 days.