In a significant move under the public outreach program, Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha, Er Gulam Ali Khatana, held a series of public meetings in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly constituency in Reasi district on Monday.
MP Khatana, accompanied by senior party leaders including former Minister Ajay Nanda, engaged with representatives from various communities during his two-day visit to Reasi. The delegation met with members of Scheduled Tribes (STs), minority communities, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
A key focus of the meetings was addressing the concerns of families displaced by the construction of the Narayana Super Specialty Hospital in Katra. Approximately 400 families voiced their grievances regarding unfulfilled promises made by the Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. These families claim they were promised alternate land and jobs but have only received five marlas of land without ownership rights.
Responding to these concerns, MP Khatana assured the affected families of his support and pledged to raise the matter with Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha. He emphasized the urgency of prioritizing the rehabilitation of these displaced families, stating, “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.” In addition to addressing displacement issues, Khatana called for the inclusion of the Fakeer community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list. He highlighted the socio-economic challenges faced by this community and urged Lt. Governor Sinha to consider this demand seriously.
The MP’s visit included public meetings at various locations such as Khold Bantia, Sirah Colony of Katra Mandal, Bhangal, Sirla, and Najli of Baba Dhansar Mandal. These meetings aimed to gather first-hand information about the issues confronting local residents. This outreach program underscores the ongoing challenges faced by displaced and marginalized communities in the region, emphasizing the need for swift action to ensure their rehabilitation and well-being.
