New Delhi, November 4
The Sirsa MP, Former Union Cabinet Minister, General Secretary of AICC, Congress Working Committee member and Uttarakhand Congress Incharge Kumari Selja has raised serious questions over the process of handing over Uttarakhand’s valuable government land and historical heritage buildings to private institutions. She alleged that under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s leadership, transparency and prescribed rules were being overlooked in the allocation of important government properties.
In a statement issued in New Delhi, Selja claimed that around 40 government properties and heritage buildings across 12 of Uttarakhand’s 13 districts were being transferred to the private sector. These include 633 acres of IDPL land in Rishikesh, around 190 acres in Dakpathar, HMT land in Ranibagh and important properties in Nainital, Dhanaulti and Tehri. She said government records showed that various land-allocation proposals were approved at the Chief Minister’s level in January and November 2025. Kumari Selja alleged that decisions involving approximately 1,080 acres of government land did not give adequate importance to the role of concerned departments and ministers.
Selja demanded an impartial investigation into the process of transferring Mussoorie’s George Everest Estate and historical buildings in Haridwar and Rishikesh to private institutions. She said government properties should be utilised by prioritising public interest, education, healthcare and the state’s long-term development. She said Congress had launched the ‘Save Land, Remove Dhami’ campaign across Uttarakhand. Under the campaign, protests would be held at various locations, and the party would meet the Governor to demand a review and cancellation of controversial decisions.
Selja said Congress would also approach the court if necessary. She asserted that the party would continue its democratic and constitutional struggle to protect Uttarakhand’s land, historical heritage and resources linked to public interest. She said the government must make public complete details of all allocation procedures, valuations and approvals to clarify the situation.