In a significant development for Radha Soami Satsang Beas Hospital located in Bhota, Hamirpur district, the state government has provided much-needed relief by facilitating the transfer of additional land for its medical expansion. On December 18, during the winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the state government introduced a key bill that aims to amend the Himachal Pradesh Land Ceiling Act, thereby allowing the religious institution to transfer more land for its hospital and healthcare services.
Government’s Intervention to Support Radha Soami Satsang Beas Hospital
On the first day of the winter session, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi presented the Himachal Pradesh Land Holding Ceiling Amendment Bill 2024 in the legislative assembly. This bill seeks to address the issue where Radha Soami Satsang Beas has exceeded the land ownership limits specified by the Land Ceiling Act. The proposed amendment would enable the religious organization to legally transfer additional land to the Jagat Singh Medical Relief Society, a subsidiary of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, to expand its hospital facilities and improve healthcare offerings.
Radha Soami Satsang Beas’s Longstanding Demand for Land Transfer
For some time, Radha Soami Satsang Beas had been requesting permission from the state government for a land transfer to facilitate the expansion of its medical services. The land transfer was initially hindered by the constraints of the Himachal Pradesh Land Ceiling Act, which imposes limits on the amount of land religious institutions can own. However, despite these restrictions, the medical relief society continued to advocate for additional land to better serve the community, especially in terms of hospital expansion.
This issue was taken up seriously in the state cabinet, leading to the formulation of the amendment bill that was presented by Minister Jagat Singh Negi.
Key Amendments in the Land Ceiling Act
The Himachal Pradesh Land Ceiling Act currently limits religious and spiritual institutions to owning a maximum of 30 acres of land. Under the proposed amendment, Radha Soami Satsang Beas will be allowed to exceed this limit to secure the additional land needed for its medical operations. This change will not only support the institution’s expansion but also ensure that land is used exclusively for its intended purpose.
Importantly, the bill also includes a provision that allows the government to reclaim land from religious institutions if it is misused or not utilized for its original purpose. This will prevent any legal issues related to the misuse of land while safeguarding the interests of the public.
Once the bill is discussed and passed in the legislative assembly, the path will be cleared for Radha Soami Satsang Beas to proceed with the land transfer process and advance its healthcare initiatives.
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