Asserting that creation of a separate SGPC for Haryana was within the jurisdiction of the state, senior Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday accused Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of “undermining” the principle of federalism.
“This (creation of separate SGPC) is within the power and jurisdiction of that state according to the Concurrent list in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India,” the Congress Deputy leader in lok Sabha said.
He said: “All through your (Badal’s) political life spanning over six decades, you have claimed to stand for a strong federal structure with stronger states and now, at the fag-end of your political career, why are you trying to undermine the same principles you claimed were so dear to you all your lifeIJ” Former Chief Minister said that in his “kiddish obduracy”, Badal was trying to “coerce the Centre” to set aside Haryana SGPC Act passed by that state for the management of gurdwaras there.
“According to Entry 28 in the Concurrent list of the Schedule VII of the Constitution of India, Haryana government, or for that matter any State, is empowered and authorised to legislate on, charities and charitable institutions, charitable and religious endowments and religious institutions,” he pointed. Capt Amarinder said that management of gurdwaras, which Haryana SGPC is mandated to do, comes very much under the definition of “religious institutions”. Besides, the Haryana government is also authorised to legislate on the issue in accordance to Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966, he said.