SGPC asks Centre to halt suspension of flights to Amritsar

Amritsar, Nov 22 (UNI) The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandik Committee (SGPC) today expressed concern over the decision of certain airline operators to suspend their flights to the Raja Sansi aiport here and sought the immediate intervention of the Central Government in this matter.

"The suspension of flights is against the interests of Amritsar, which is the most important religious place of the Sikhs and a large number of pilgrims of other faiths also visit the Golden Temple everyday to pay obeisance", a resolution passed by the general house of the SGPC stated here.

The general house which met at Teja Singh Samundri hall in the Golden Temple complex called upon the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to dissuade the private airliners from suspending their flights to the holy city. The international status of the aiport should be maintained as pilgrims and tourists from all over the globe travel by air to the holy city, the resolution added.

The resolution also called upon the Airport Authority of India to lower the landing and parking fee at Raja Sansi and bring it at par with the New Delhi international airport. The Raja Sansi airport plays an important role in decongesting the New Delhi air traffic, the resolution stated.

Through another resolution, the general house called upon the Central Government to carry out the necessary amendments in the Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1925 for giving representation to NRI Sikhs in the SGPC. The SGPC should be allowed to coopt at least 10 NRI's into the religious body, the resolution said while pointing out that a large Sikh population was now settled in various countries.

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