Garhwal Post Bureau
Gairsain/Dehradun, 8 Jun: The issue of alleged large‑scale land sales in villages around Bhararisain, the summer capital Gairsain, has drawn sharp criticism from former Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Harish Rawat who alleged that the present government is killing the soul of Gairsain by giving open licence for such transactions.
Rawat said that, recognising the importance of Gairsain, his government had imposed a ban on land purchase and sale in the area, but the BJP government had removed this restriction and opened the doors for land mafia. He demanded an immediate halt to land deals so that land could be preserved for planned development of Gairsain in the future.
During an informal interaction with the media here, today, Rawat referred to some reports that in May alone villagers in the Chief Minister’s Adarsh Gram Sarkot adjoining the Bharadisain Assembly complex sold fifty nali of land, with the possibility of more major transactions. Rawat said that due to the wrong policies of the BJP government innocent and poor villagers are selling their land at throwaway prices, which is destroying the essence of Bhararisain. He claimed that during his tenure the construction of the Assembly building had begun along with a complete ban on land transactions in the area, but the BJP reduced Gairsain to a paper capital and scrapped the rules meant to protect its land.
Rawat also reminded that his government had notified the establishment of a new township in Bhararisain and had sanctioned Rs 57 crores for construction of officers’ residences and the Secretariat, authorising the Uttarakhand Housing and Urban Development Authority to execute these plans. He said the Gairsain Establishment and Development Corporation was also set up to plan tunnels linking Gairsain with nearby hill towns and plains for integrated growth. He warned that, if land is not preserved, future expansion including new townships and essential units will not be possible.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Congress workers led by Gairsain Nagar Panchayat Chairman Mohan Bhandari today submitted a memorandum to SDM Abrar Ahmad demanding a ban on the sale of agricultural land in Sarkot village near the Assembly area. They warned that if action is not taken soon, they will launch a street protest.
