Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday to discuss several issues concerning the state, with a special emphasis on the Shahpur constituency in Kangra district, which has a significant population of serving and retired Army personnel.
During the meeting, Pathania highlighted the sacrifice of Subedar Pawan Singh Jarial, a native of Shahpur, who recently laid down his life during Operation Sindoor. He informed the Minister that Subedar Jarial was the first martyr from the region in this operation and urged the Defence Ministry to sanction a War Memorial at Shahpur in his honour. He added that the state government has already identified and allotted land for this purpose, and that timely approval from the Centre would expedite its construction.
Pathania also drew attention to the need for better facilities for ex-servicemen in the Shahpur area. He pointed out that the ECHS polyclinic was currently being run from the state government hospital building, which is facing severe space constraints. To address this, the state government has already transferred 00-24-00 hectares of land to the Defence Ministry for the construction of a type-C ECHS polyclinic, CSD canteen, and a Sainik Rest House. However, he noted that financial sanction from the Ministry is still awaited.
In addition, Pathania raised the issue of a 5.91-acre land parcel in the heart of Shahpur town, which is owned by the Central Government but currently in the possession of various state departments. This land, being the only open ground available for school children and public activities, is underutilized due to ongoing disputes over ownership. The state government has proposed a land exchange under the existing policy framework and sought the Defence Minister’s intervention for early resolution.
He urged the Defence Minister to direct concerned officials to expedite pending approvals and clearances for all these projects, which are crucial for the welfare of ex-servicemen and the local community of Shahpur.
In response, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured that all genuine demands of the state would be considered with due seriousness, and all possible support would be extended by the Ministry.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
