Congress Alleges 'Conspiracy' in Uttarakhand Land Allotment; Meets Governor
A Congress delegation led by Ganesh Godiyal met Governor Dhal Singh Bishen to protest alleged irregularities in Uttarakhand land sales and leases.
In a high-stakes political move, an 11-member delegation from the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) met with Governor Dhal Singh Bishen at Lok Bhavan on Thursday. The meeting was centered around serious allegations of Uttarakhand land allotment irregularities, with the opposition claiming that the state's historic heritage is being auctioned off under the guise of development.
The delegation was led by State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal and featured prominent political figures, including former Chief Minister Harish Rawat and the Leader of the Opposition, Yashpal Arya. Together, they submitted a formal memorandum to the Governor, urging immediate intervention to stop the alleged illegal sale and leasing of state land.
Allegations of Rule-Breaking and 'Random' Pricing
Speaking to the press following the meeting, Yashpal Arya launched a scathing attack on the current state administration. He claimed that the government is bypassing established protocols to sell or lease land that holds significant historical value for the people of Uttarakhand.
According to Arya, the government is ignoring official rules and offering plots at "random prices." He further alleged that land belonging to various government departments has been seized and transferred without the necessary consent from the respective officials.
The 'Hotelier Conspiracy'
One of the most provocative claims made by the Congress delegation is the existence of a calculated conspiracy to benefit wealthy businessmen and the hospitality industry. Arya suggested that the terms of these land transfers have been rigged to favor outsiders over locals.
- Low Costs: The opposition alleges that land is being handed over to hoteliers and businessmen at unfairly low prices.
- Restrictive Qualifications: Arya claimed that the criteria for allotment are set such that local hoteliers in Uttarakhand cannot qualify, effectively shutting them out.
- Financial Loopholes: The delegation highlighted provisions that allow these allottees to take loans against the leased plots or even sublet them, which they argue leads to the permanent loss of public land.
Congress Threatens Street Protests and Legal Action
The Congress leadership expressed deep resentment over these developments, stating that the government's actions are contrary to the interests of the general public. Arya described the situation as a betrayal of the people's dreams, asserting that a government acting against public interest has no right to remain in power.
"Our dreams are being razed to the ground by the Govt. This is a Govt which decides against the interest of people. They don't have the right to continue in power."
The opposition has made it clear that they will not stop at a memorandum to the Governor. The Congress party has vowed to fight the issue aggressively, stating they are prepared to move the courts and take their protests to the streets to protect the state's land and heritage.