PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Congress has once again raised the issue of the George Everest Estate with its leader and Devbhumi Sansadhan Bachao Samiti convenor Sonia Anand Rawat alleging that the leasing of government land at the estate to a private firm is a major scam. Addressing the media here on Thursday, she claimed that the land was leased for 15 years at a nominal rate of Rs one crore per year, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 2,900 crore to the State exchequer.
She also raised concerns over environmental violations, alleging that access routes of local villagers are being blocked, residents are being intimidated and heavy construction activities are being carried out in a sensitive zone. She added that commercial activities such as air safari operations and noise levels ranging between 120 and 150 decibels are being allowed, adding that information received under the Right To Information had revealed serious irregularities in the tender process. Committee patron Prakash Thapliyal and former IAS officer SS Pangti termed the issue an attack on the State’s natural heritage.
It will be recalled that the Congress had first raised this issue last year. The Bharatiya Janata Party had then stressed that the land allocation for tourism activities is fully according to the regulations. The tender process was according to the rules and the land developed and resources belong to the State with there being no restriction on movement of the general public or other activities at the site, the BJP had claimed.
