IndiaPosted at: Nov 4 2026 3:00PM


Uttarakhand govt bypassing norms in handing over prime govt land, heritage buildings to private entities: Selja

New Delhi, Nov 4 (UNI) Congress general secretary Kumari Selja, MP, on Wednesday, raised serious questions over the process of handing over Uttarakhand's valuable government land and historic heritage buildings to private entities, alleging that transparency and prescribed rules were being ignored under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Selja, a former union Minister, Congress Working Committee member and the party's Uttarakhand in-charge, claimed in a statement issued here that a process has been adopted to hand over around 40 government properties and historic buildings, spread across 12 of the state's 13 districts, to the private sector.
These include 633 acres of IDPL land in Rishikesh, about 190 acres at Dakpathar, HMT land at Ranibagh, and key properties in Nainital, Dhanaulti and Tehri.
The MP said that, according to government records, various land allotment proposals were cleared at the Chief Minister's level in January and November 2025. She alleged that in decisions linked to nearly 1,080 acres of government land, the role of the concerned departments and ministers was not given adequate weight.
Selja demanded an impartial probe into the process of giving the George Everest Estate in Mussoorie, as well as historic buildings in Haridwar and Rishikesh, to private institutions. She said government assets should be used with priority given to public interest, education, health and the state's long-term development.
She said the Congress has launched a "Bhoomi Bachao-Dhami Hatao" campaign across Uttarakhand, under which protests will be held at various places. A delegation will also meet the Governor to seek a review and cancellation of the disputed decisions.
Selja made it clear that the Congress would also knock on the court's doors if required. She said the party would continue its struggle democratically and constitutionally to protect Uttarakhand's land, historic heritage and resources linked to public interest. The government, she added, should make public full details of all allotment processes, valuations and approvals to clarify the position.
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