The Himachal Pradesh government plans to change the Land Ceiling Act, 1972, to allow the transfer of land for the Radha Soami Satsang hospital in Bhota, Hamirpur, to its sister organisation.
The goal is to exempt the charitable institution from paying Rs 2 crore in GST.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed that a draft ordinance is being prepared, and the bill for this amendment will be presented during the winter session of the Vidhan Sabha in December.
Sukhu explained that the Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) wants to transfer the land to its sister organisation. However, there are legal challenges because of the Land Ceiling Act.
He emphasised that while the RSSB offers free treatment as a charitable institution, it is being forced to pay nearly Rs 2 crore in GST, which he believes is unfair. The government is working on a solution to help them avoid this payment.
The amendment would allow the land to be transferred from RSSB to the Maharaja Jagat Singh Medical Relief Society, which runs the Bhota Charitable Hospital.
Currently, RSSB is exempt from the Land Ceiling Act because it is a religious charitable organisation, but it cannot transfer land through sale, gift, will, or mortgage.
For this transfer to happen, the law must be changed.
Sukhu also stated that the previous BJP government had rejected this request, while the Congress government is willing to amend the law to assist organisations that serve the public.
The issue of amending the Land Ceiling Act has been controversial, with the BJP previously turning down the RSSB's request.
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