A high-level conference was convened by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on December 1 in Shimla to discuss the closing of a charity hospital operated by Radha Soami Satsang Beas, which has sparked protests. The 75-bed hospital serves the local community and is situated at Bhota, Hamirpur. Citing the necessity to update the facility with new medical equipment, the hospital’s management had declared that it would close on December 1. To avoid having to pay a sizable amount of GST, they did, however, also state that they would like to transfer the land to a sibling organization.
To make this upgrading possible, the hospital administration wishes to provide the Maharaj Jagat Singh Medical Relief Society, a connected organization, the 44-acre property that is currently under its jurisdiction. To finish this transfer, though, they need the state government’s approval. The Chief Minister has responded by inviting important officials to the meeting to discuss how the government may relax the rules governing land transfers, including the advocate general, additional chief secretary (Revenue), and secretary (Law). To facilitate the transfer, the CM has directed revenue authorities to write a bill that might be published as an ordinance.
Locals, especially women, who depend on the facility for reasonably priced medical services, have protested the closing news. They have been demonstrating since Monday, calling for the hospital to keep providing its services. Following the scheduled meeting, locals cancelled their protest after threatening to stop the Shimla-Dharamshala National Highway near Bhota Chowk on Thursday. Rather, they staged a nonviolent demonstration outside the front gate of the hospital. Rekha Rani and Geeta Devi, among other protesters, voiced their worries over the hospital’s closure and emphasized the value of the free medical care it has been offering the neighborhood.
Along with the demonstrations, three complaints have been filed by the police against unnamed people for illegally assembling on Thursday and disrupting traffic. The hospital was founded by former Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal, who also expressed support and urged the state government to guarantee the hospital’s continuous operation for the benefit of the general people.
In order to address the persistent problem and facilitate the property transfer, the state administration intends to amend the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on property Holdings Act, 1972, through an ordinance that would be brought to the next assembly session on December 18. If the land transfer is approved, the Radha Soami Satsang Beas hospital plans to go on providing medical care under the new administration.
SOURCE :
HINDUSTAN TIMES
