Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 13 Apr: Ahead of the scheduled visit to Dehradun of Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow, Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal has raised a series of pointed questions. Welcoming the Prime Minister’s presence and his planned roadshow, Godiyal remarked that the visit comes in an election year and therefore Modi must respond to ten pressing issues that concern the people of the state.
Referring to the Ankita Bhandari murder case, Godiyal asked who the so-called VIP was and why the Prime Minister has never once mentioned Ankita’s name despite visiting Uttarakhand several times. The PCC President asserted that serious questions continue to be raised about the involvement of senior BJP leaders and although Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had spoken of a CBI inquiry, three to four months have passed without clarity on the status of the investigation.
Expressing concern over the rising human–wildlife conflict in the state and particularly in the hills, Godiyal said that the poor villagers in remote areas are forced to live under constant threat from the wild animals. He demanded that the Prime Minister explain what concrete steps the state government has taken to address this growing menace.
Turning to youth issues, Godiyal recalled Modi’s 2017 statement that “the water and youth of the hills will serve Uttarakhand”. He asked what effective schemes have been implemented for the state’s young people, pointing out that drug abuse is increasing and the future of youth is endangered. He highlighted recruitment scams and paper leak incidents, saying Uttarakhand has now gained notoriety for such irregularities.
On education, Godiyal reminded that 826 schools have been shut during the BJP’s tenure, which he described as alarming and added that at the same time, 55 new liquor shops have opened in the hill areas. He accused the government of using liquor and mining as excuses to raise revenue, questioning whether these are the only options left for the state.
Godiyal further reminded that Modi had promised to make Uttarakhand the number one state within five years, but instead it has become number one among the Himalayan states in cases of crimes against women. He asked why the regularisation of UPNL employees remains stalled and demanded answers on deteriorating law and order, rising crimes against women and incidents targeting ex-servicemen.
The State Congress President also raised concerns about black-marketing and rising prices of domestic gas cylinders, claiming that on the issues raised by him, the Prime Minister owes the people of Uttarakhand a clear assurance. Godiyal also stated that Congress awaits Modi’s response to these questions, which reflect the anxieties and grievances of ordinary citizens.
During the press conference, party spokespersons Garima Dasauni and Abhinav Thapar were also present.
