Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat led a Congress protest in Haridwar against the state government’s decision to give Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam’s Hotel Alaknanda on a 90-year lease. The demonstration took place at the hotel’s ghat and focused on the future of government-owned property in the state.
Congress has opposed the lease, arguing that Hotel Alaknanda is a valuable state asset and should not be transferred to private hands for such a long period. The party demanded a review of the decision and said it would intensify its campaign if the government does not withdraw it.
Rawat questions the long-term lease
Speaking to the media during the protest, Rawat said Hotel Alaknanda was more than a commercial property. He described it as part of Uttarakhand’s core assets and questioned why the government needed to place such property in private hands.
Rawat alleged that valuable public assets were being transferred for the benefit of a few individuals. He asked the government to explain what concrete benefit Uttarakhand and its people would receive from the 90-year lease.
According to Rawat, decisions involving state property should consider the interests of future generations, rather than being assessed only from an immediate financial perspective. He also argued that the state could use the property to serve public and development needs.
Other properties raised during protest
The former chief minister linked the Hotel Alaknanda issue to a wider debate over public land and government facilities. He raised concerns about properties in Ranipur, IDPL and the state’s valuable orchards.
Rawat also alleged that efforts were being made to transfer valuable land and rest houses to private interests. He referred to earlier discussions about PWD land and claimed that similar preparations were now being considered for Forest Department land.
He said government land, hotels, rest houses and other public assets were part of Uttarakhand’s identity and future. In his view, these properties should be used for public welfare and the state’s development, not to benefit selected individuals.
Rawat warned that future generations would hold decision-makers responsible if valuable assets continued to be transferred at inadequate prices or through long-term leases. He called for transparency, proper valuation and consideration of public interest before decisions are taken.
Congress threatens wider agitation
Congress workers protested the lease decision during the gathering at Hotel Alaknanda’s ghat. Rawat said the 90-year arrangement would not provide any genuine benefit to the people of Uttarakhand, and urged the government to reconsider and cancel it.
He warned that Congress would expand its opposition if the decision remained in force. The party’s stated position is that Hotel Alaknanda should remain connected to public interest rather than being placed under a long-term private arrangement.
No government response to the objections is included in the available report. The dispute has nevertheless widened into a political argument over the protection, valuation and use of Uttarakhand’s government-owned properties.
Conclusion
Congress, led by Harish Rawat, is opposing the proposed 90-year lease of GMVN’s Hotel Alaknanda in Haridwar and has demanded its withdrawal. The party says it will intensify the protest if the government does not reconsider the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the protest about?
The protest is against the Uttarakhand government’s decision to give GMVN’s Hotel Alaknanda in Haridwar on a 90-year lease.
Q. Who led the protest?
Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat led the protest, which was attended by Congress workers.
Q. Where was the demonstration held?
The demonstration was held at the ghat of Hotel Alaknanda in Haridwar.
Q. What is Congress demanding?
Congress is demanding that the government review and withdraw the decision to lease the hotel for 90 years.
Q. What other properties did Rawat mention?
Rawat raised concerns about properties in Ranipur, IDPL, valuable orchards, PWD land, Forest Department land and rest houses.
Q. What has Congress threatened to do next?
Congress has warned that it will intensify and broaden the agitation if the government does not withdraw the decision.
