New Delhi/Dehradun: Congress on Wednesday accused Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami of transferring 1,080 acres of govt land and several British-era heritage properties to the Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Development Board (UIIDB) for allotment to private players at throwaway prices. BJP rejected the allegations, saying the properties were neither being sold nor privatised and would remain under state ownership.
She cited Section 28 of the UIIDB Act, claiming that monetisation required the consent of the departments concerned and state govt.
This is not a fabricated charge of Congress; it is the truth recorded in govt’s own files,” she said. Congress would approach Governor with a memorandum and move court if necessary, she said. Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttarakhand Kumari Selja, addressing a news conference in New Delhi, alleged that Dhami had taken away the cabinet’s authority over land transfers and concentrated decision-making powers in his own hands. “Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami alone is guilty of auctioning Uttarakhand’s priceless govt land and its British-era heritage buildings. Selja accused Dhami of personally approving land transfers while chairing the board receiving the properties.
He also claimed Dhami govt had cleared approximately 13,000 acres of encroachments.
“Govt’s policy is not to sell public land but to put it to productive use while safeguarding govt ownership and creating employment opportunities,” Uniyal said. He accused Congress of misleading investors ahead of assembly elections and cited land allotment controversies during its tenure, including Nanisar and Dhaulas.
“Ownership of all such land will remain 100% with govt. He claimed hospitality projects alone could attract investments of Rs 1,500 crore to Rs 2,000 crore, create over 5,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs and generate additional revenue of Rs 200 crore to Rs 250 crore.
Responding to the allegations, cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal said UIIDB was pursuing asset monetisation to attract investment, not selling public property. Private investors will only be granted limited rights to develop and operate approved projects, subject to strict conditions, investment commitments, phased development and environmental safeguards,” he said. Uniyal said govt would retain regulatory control and recover possession after the agreed period. Rejecting allegations concerning IDPL, HMT, inspection bungalows and horticulture properties, Uniyal said these assets remained with their respective departments and proposed projects were only at preliminary planning or feasibility stages.