The annual budget presented by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on March 28 for the financial year 2026-27 challenges many common perceptions about its financial strength. Since this is an election year in Punjab, political parties and factions of the Akali Dal often make exaggerated claims about the SGPC’s budget.In the past, some political voices even created the impression that the SGPC’s budget was equal to that of the Punjab Government. However, the actual figures show that there is no comparison. While the Punjab Government presented a budget of about Rs 2.60 lakh crore on March 8, the SGPC’s budget is only Rs 1,487.41 crore. Addressing this misconception, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami stated in his budget speech, “Contrary to popular belief, the SGPC budget is just 0.9 per cent of the Punjab Government’s budget, roughly equal to that of a large municipal corporation.” He said misleading propaganda was often spread regarding this issue.There are some reasons why people tend to believe such misconceptions. Around 47 per cent of the SGPC’s total income comes from offerings (golak) at gurdwaras. Out of the total funds collected, around 25 per cent is spent on salaries, while 28 per cent goes towards headquarters expenses and gratuity funds.Many Sikhs feel that the SGPC does not promote religion as effectively as expected, especially since only Rs 120 crore is allocated to the Dharam Prachar Committee.Similarly, areas where the SGPC often faces criticism, include support for Sikligar and Vanjara Sikhs and poor village granthis, who receive only Rs 7.61 crore. This amount also includes support for Nihang groups, legal aid for political prisoners in jail, monthly assistance for Bandi Singhs, pensions for families of those who sacrificed their lives for Sikhism and help for martyrs’ and injured families, as well as religious outreach through social organisations.The SGPC is also criticised for not promoting modern education. However, despite limited resources, it runs 31 higher education institutions including universities, medical colleges and 50 primary and secondary schools.A total of Rs 12.50 crore has been allocated for free education for Sikh children, including fee support for Amritdhari students, free education for Amritdhari girls, and aid for poor students. It also includes preparation for administrative and judicial services through Nishchay Academy. An additional Rs 5 crore has been set aside for coaching students who clear preliminary exams.Moreover, Rs 66.77 crore has been allocated to educational institutions for infrastructure, maintenance and support to institutes —Miri Piri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Shahabad Markanda, Haryana, and Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib.Despite what the numbers show, the common Sikh expects the SGPC to go beyond statements and take concrete action on key religious and social issues. However, the budget leaves little room for this, as both the estimated income and expenditure stand at Rs 1,487.41 crore, leaving no extra funds to meet wider expectations.Since this is an election year, criticism of the SGPC is likely to continue based on these existing perceptions, despite Dhami trying to address these concerns in his speech.