Amid widespread protests against the closure of a charitable hospital run by Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Bhota area of ​​Hamirpur district, Chief Minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday said the state government would present a bill to amend the law on land ceilings. first day of the winter session of the Assembly which is scheduled to begin December 18.

Sukhu, who convened a meeting at his official residence, Oak Over, on Sunday to discuss the issue of transfer of land related to the Bhota Charitable Hospital, directed the officials to immediately prepare an amendment bill. “The state government intends to keep the hospital functional so that nearby residents continue to receive quality health services,” he said.

The Radha Soami Satsang Beas runs a 75-bed hospital located on 44 acres of land, at Bhota, Hamirpur. The management expressed its desire to upgrade the facility with new equipment, but sought permission from the government to transfer its land to a sister organization to avoid paying a huge amount in GST.

The CM called this meeting in the backdrop of protests taking place since Monday in front of the hospital, where residents, mostly women, are demanding the continuation of medical services at the hospital. The management had notably published a notice indicating that the hospital would be closed from December 1.

MPs Suresh Kumar and Kamlesh Thakur, additional chief secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, advocate general Anoop Ratan and law secretary Sharad Kumar Lagwal were present in the meeting.

Sukhu said the state government was making all possible efforts to come to the aid of Radha Soami Satsang Beas and ensure that the hospital remained operational.

He added that although the government had initially considered passing an ordinance to provide relief to the organization, the proximity of the assembly session makes the introduction of an amendment bill more feasible.

The CM said the land issue had not been resolved for almost a decade. This issue had also come up for discussion in 2019, with the Radha Soami Satsang Beas also seeking relief from the then Bharatiya Janata Party government.