The Congress has demanded a probe into the tender allocation for developing the George Everest Estate in Mussoorie, raising concerns over alleged irregularities in awarding the project to a company linked to Patanjali co-founder Acharya Balkrishna.
Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly, Yashpal Arya, said on Friday that only a committee headed by a retired judge or a CBI inquiry could bring out the truth. 
He alleged that the government was &ldquo;crossing all limits of corruption&rdquo; by handing over the project to companies owned by Balkrishna.
Arya claimed that Balkrishna was a shareholder in all three firms that participated in the bidding, including Rajas Aerosports and Adventures Pvt Ltd, which eventually won the tender. 
He argued that leasing the 142-acre property for a licence fee of ₹1 crore per year was a major revenue loss for the state, especially when the market value of the 762 bighas of land was worth far more. 
According to him, the official government rate valued the land at ₹2,757 crore, while the commercial market value could be four to ten times higher.
He also questioned why the Tourism Department had borrowed ₹23 crore from the Asian Development Bank to develop and upgrade the land before leasing it for 15 years to Rajas. 
&ldquo;The entire tendering process was designed to benefit one company,&rdquo; he alleged.
In response, BJP spokesperson Manveer Singh Chauhan defended the allotment, saying the project was carried out lawfully and had transformed George Everest Estate into a hub of economic activity. 
He accused the Congress of spreading negativity instead of recognizing the development.
The Chief Minister&rsquo;s Office also rejected the allegations, stating that all procedures were followed with &ldquo;full adherence to regulations.&rdquo; 
It added that while the property has been allotted for 15 years for operation and maintenance, ownership of the land and assets remains with the Tourism Department.
The CMO further said that the estate now offers tourism services such as Himalayan view programs, bird watching, astro-tourism, cultural events, the George Everest Museum, parking facilities, and designated helicopter services &mdash; all operated by Rajas Aerosports and Adventures Pvt Ltd.
Chauhan also noted that before 2012, the George Everest site and its pathways were in poor condition, attracting only a small number of visitors. 
According to him, the project has significantly boosted tourism and local economic activity. 
However, he did not address the Congress&rsquo;s claim that all three bidding firms were linked to Balkrishna.

Congress demands probe in George Everest project tender

Congress questions George Everest project tender, alleges links to Patanjali co-founder

Congress Seeks Probe In George Everest Project

Congress questions George Everest project tender, alleges links to Patanjali co-founder

September 13, 2025 | 15:45 IST