People protest as suspense looms on Radha Soami hospital continuation

The people staged a protest as suspense looms on the continuation of Radha Soami Hospital, Bhota, (RSHB). It was suspected that the hospital may face closure following transfer of its land to the sister concern of Radhaswami Satsang Beas at Bhota, near here, today.

The followers of the sect staged a protest rally and obstructed traffic for some time near the gate of Radha Soami Hospital, Bhota, (RSHB). The district administration had to use police force to open the road for traffic leading to Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala and Chandigarh. A number of men and women gathered there and demanded transfer of land and raised slogans against the state government.

It is learnt that the hospital authorities had stopped examining new patients while follow-up of old patients was being done. The hospital authorities had put notice on the gate of the hospital complex in this regard. It is also learnt that huge amount of GST was pending and government had sought its payment.

Babli Kumari, chairperson of Zila Parishad along with other members of Zila parishad and some gram panchayat pradhans, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through Deputy Commissioner here demanding early transfer of land to Maharaj Jagat Singh Relief Society, the sister organisation of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB).

The issue of transfer land of about 36 acre was first raised in 2005 but neither the Congress nor the BJP governments initiated any action. The protest was led by BJP leaders.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed in Shimla that a draft was being prepared to bring about an ordinance in this regard. The Bill on amendment would be tabled in the winter session of the Vidhan Sabha in December. He said “The Radha Soami Satsang Beas wanted to transfer land to its sister concern. Since there were hurdles due to Land Ceiling Act, the government is examining the legal aspects,” Sukhu told mediapersons.

The move is learnt to be part of the exercise meant to exempt the charitable organization from paying GST worth crores of rupees.

The Radha Soami Satsang Beas is running a 45-bed hospital situated on 44 acres of land. The management wanted to upgrade the facility with new equipment as the GST payment had become a hurdle in the process.

Amarjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, said that a memorandum was received from a delegation of people for the transfer of land of the RSHB. It would be sent to the government.