FATEHGARH SAHIB: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to set up Marshal Arts Academy in Punjab.

Avtar Singh Makkar president of SGPC said on Wednesday  that efforts would be made to develop marshal arts skills.  He said that a sub committee will be constituted, which will decide the location of the Academy and on other important aspects.  

He said that the complaints were received about some books of Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC and  SGPC will remove " distortion of facts" from the book Sikh history.

He said that  a board of scholars had been set up to rewrite the Sikh history by removing distortions. He said from now on the SGPC would examine  the books regarding Sikh history and gurmat.   He said that no  one would be allowed to distort the Sikh history and Sikhism.  He said that  all books to be published by the SGPC will be examined by the five scholars and when all will give clear the book, then the book will be sent for publication.  He said that the SGPC executive had given all right to constitute a sub committee to deal with the issue. 

He said that SGPC executive has decided to petition to President of India  for converting the death sentence of Prof. Devinder Pal Bhullar in life imprisonment.  He said that a member of the executive had recently visited Pakistan and submitted his report to the executive committee. He said that the member gave suggestion to preserve an important site at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and make contribution for a hall. He also suggested that langar(community kitchen) was not prepared in the Gurdwaras in Pakistan as per sikh marayda(code of conduct)  during the visits of Sikh Jathas so SGPC should send sewadars with Jathas. The Member also suggested to make efforts to preserve Gurdwara Taru Singh in Lahore.  Makkar said that executive agreed over the suggestions and authorized him to take up the matter with appropriate authorities.  

Makkar said that the executive decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15 lakh to SGPC run two schools. He said that sanction was  also given to start dispensaries in Gurdwaras.

Talking about the process to appoint the  chief secretary and five directors of different wings (to be
created for the first time) of the SGPC, Makkar said that interviews were held at Chandigarh on Tuesday.  He said though the names for the prospective appointments have shortlisted, but there will be another round of interviews.