Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, July 8: In a significant move under the public outreach programme, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Gulam Ali Khatana, held a series of public meetings in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly constituency in Reasi district on Monday.
He was accompanied by senior party leaders including former Minister, Ajay Nanda, Shashi Gupta, Rajinder Mengi, Member District Development Council, Mohd Rafiq. district president, Anil Sharma, vice president, Subash Chander, Sharshad Ali, ST leader, Bashir Ahmed, Pholi Devi, Pritam Singh and other leaders, Khatana engaged with representatives from the Scheduled Tribes (STs), minority communities, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The displaced families voiced their concern, over the unfulfilled promises made by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) regarding their resettlement, at the time of acquiring their land for the hospital complex.
“About 400 families were displaced due to the construction of the Narayana Hospital. We were promised alternate land to build our houses and jobs, but these promises have not been fulfilled yet. So far, each displaced family has received only five marlas of land from the Government, and even this is without ownership rights,” the locals informed the MP, seeking prompt resolution to their long-pending issues.
Responding to public suffering, MP assured them that he would take matter with the Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha to prioritize the rehabilitation of families displaced by the construction of the Narayana Super Specialty Hospital in Katra.
Khatana assured the affected families of his support and sought immediate intervention from the Lt. Governor’s office to address their grievances. “The displaced families have waited long enough for justice. It is imperative that the promises made to them are honored, and they are provided with the necessary resources to rebuild their lives,” he stated.
The MP also called for the inclusion of the Fakeer Community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list. Highlighting the socio-economic challenges faced by the community, Khatana urged Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to consider this demand seriously.
During his two-day visit to Reasi, which began today, Khatana also held public meetings at Khold Bantia, Sirah Colony of Katra Mandal of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency. In the second half of the day, he held public meetings in Bhangal, Sirla, and Najli of Baba Dhansar Mandal.
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