By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 13 Sep: The political storm over the tendering of the George Everest tourism site in Mussoorie, continues to brew over in the past few days. It may be recalled that the leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya has accused the State government of facilitating large-scale corruption in the tender allotment. Arya has alleged that land belonging to the Tourism Department has been leased out on annual rent in a manner that constitutes the biggest scam in the State’s history. He questioned the role of Yoga guru Ramdev and his associated companies in the tendering and has alleged that approximately 762 bighas of land in Mussoorie have been handed over to Rajas Aero Sports and Adventure Private Limited for a nominal rent of Rs 1 crore per annum, which he has termed totally unjustified. The Congress has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter.
Arya has further claimed that the company awarded the tender has occupied nearly 1,000 bighas of land. According to the Congress, all three companies that participated in the bidding process were directly or indirectly linked to Ramdev’s close associate Balkrishna. The party alleged that the market value of the land and associated assets is nearly Rs 30,000 crore, yet it has been leased to private hands for a paltry sum. The Congress described this as an unprecedented scam, asserting that such a transfer of public assets undermines the interests of the people of Uttarakhand.
The allegations claim that land located at George Everest in Mussoorie is worth Rs 30,000 but has been leased for just Rs 1 crore annually to a company associated with Patanjali Ayurveda. The 142-acre area, leased for 15 years to Balkrishna’s firm Rajas Aero Sports and Adventure Private Limited, had earlier been developed using a Rs 23 crore loan from the Asian Development Bank. Arya recalled raising this issue during a previous Assembly session, pointing out that the tourism department’s valuable land in the George Everest area had been allotted to a company linked to Patanjali. He accused the government of manipulating the tender process to favour specific entities.
The tender issued by the Uttarakhand Tourism Board ostensibly aims to promote adventure tourism in Mussoorie. The selected bidder was to manage 142 acres of land, which included a museum, observatory, cafeteria, sports facilities, and parking. The entire 142 acres, equivalent to 762 bighas, 2862 nalis, or 5,744,566 square metres, was allotted to Rajas Aero Sports and Adventure Private Limited for Rs 1 crore annually. Congress leaders found it suspicious that even the companies ranked second and third in the bidding process were owned by Acharya Balkrishna.
Arya argued that the actual commercial value of such land is typically four times higher, and in prime tourist locations, it could be ten times greater. He criticised the government for leasing out valuable land at throwaway prices while the youth of Uttarakhand continue to grapple with unemployment. He demanded that the entire tender process be investigated either by the CBI or by a committee headed by a retired judge. Arya added that Ramdev, hailing from Uttarakhand has been the beneficiary of State’s munificence, now operates as a businessman who openly supports the BJP and functions in the style of industrialists like Adani and Ambani. He alleged that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is extending undue favour to Ramdev and that the lease amount is barely sufficient to cover maintenance costs. Arya warned that the Congress would continue to expose similar scandals in the days to come. Congress state president Karan Mahra has also criticised the Government’s actions, stating that the move amounts to virtually gifting away public assets.
On the other hand, Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Singh Gabryal has responded to the allegations claiming that in 1987, the district administration had acquired 172.91 acres of land at George Everest and had since been planning its development for tourism. He claimed that the government has been consistently working to enhance the site, and in 2019, construction of a heritage park commenced, which was completed in November 2022. A museum, laboratory, and café were built at a cost of approximately Rs 23.52 crore.
Gabryal emphasised that the tendering process for aero sports activities was conducted transparently. Three companies had submitted applications, and the award was made for a 15-year period following detailed technical and financial evaluation. He asserted that no land or assets had been sold or transferred, and ownership remains with the Tourism Department.
It may be recalled that George Everest, located in the Hathipaon area of Mussoorie, is a heritage site that had once served as the residence of British Surveyor General George Everest. Between 1832 and 1843, he had led the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India. The world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, is named in his honour. His house and laboratory, long neglected, have recently been restored and developed into a tourist attraction offering panoramic views of the Doon Valley and the Himalayan ranges.
However, the controversy is expected to persist, with the Congress terming the tender allotment a betrayal of the people and reiterating its demand for a high-level inquiry. Meanwhile, the government and the Tourism Department maintain that the process was conducted within legal parameters. The BJP has also strongly refuted the allegations. Party’s state media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan last evening stated that the application process for tourism activities at George Everest was carried out lawfully and in accordance with all procedures. He affirmed that the developed land and resources remain state property and that public access to the site is unrestricted. He dismissed the Congress’s accusations as baseless and devoid of factual merit.
