Dehradun, September 21, 2026: ARUNODAY TIMES
The Ex-Servicemen Department of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee organised a peaceful protest on Monday over various issues related to the Sainy Dham project. Before the protest, office-bearers and party workers gathered at the Congress Bhawan and proceeded to Sainy Dham, where they paid tribute to martyrs and soldiers by observing two minutes of silence.
The protest was led by Colonel Ram Ratan Negi, president of the Ex-Servicemen Department. During the demonstration, Congress leaders and former servicemen demanded that details regarding the project’s cost, expenditure, work orders, construction progress and completion timeline be made public.
Demand to Make Sainy Dham Project Details Public
Colonel Ram Ratan Negi said that Sainy Dham was closely associated with the honour of martyred soldiers and their families. He stated that the public had the right to know the total approved cost of the project, the amount spent so far, the agencies assigned various works, the number of revisions made and the current status of construction.
He demanded that all project-related details be disclosed and that an independent and impartial investigation be conducted into the entire matter.
Objection Raised Over Ganesh Joshi’s Alleged Statement
Colonel Negi criticised the alleged statement by Sainik Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi regarding electoral benefits linked to Sainy Dham. During the protest, former servicemen and Congress workers unanimously passed a resolution demanding the minister’s resignation.
Congress leaders stated that Sainy Dham was connected with the honour of martyrs and their families and should not be viewed through the lens of political or electoral gains.
Sujata Paul Raises Departmental and Political Issues
Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Sujata Paul raised several departmental and political issues related to Ganesh Joshi. She demanded that the government provide clear answers regarding allegations of corruption and administrative irregularities.
Paul raised issues concerning alleged corruption in the Horticulture Department, deforestation and environmental damage in the Mussoorie Assembly constituency, alleged allocation of land in violation of rules, and concerns involving street vendors. She called for greater accountability from the government.
Congress Spokesperson Questions Statements Related to Court Proceedings
Advocate and Congress spokesperson Pankaj Kshetri raised questions regarding the disproportionate assets case associated with Ganesh Joshi and his public statements concerning court proceedings.
He said that individuals holding public office should maintain decorum towards judicial processes and institutions when discussing matters related to the courts.
Kshetri referred to the disproportionate assets case and stated that the matter had remained under judicial consideration. He also cited reports that the case had recently been referred to the Chief Justice for the constitution of a new bench.
Questions Raised Under ‘Give an Account of Sainy Dham’ Campaign
During the protest, Congress workers and former servicemen raised several questions before the government under the ‘Sainy Dham Ka Hisaab Do’ (Give an Account of Sainy Dham) campaign.
The key questions included:
- What is the approved cost of the Sainy Dham project?
- How much money has been spent so far?
- How many times has the project cost been revised?
- Which agency has been assigned each work?
- How much construction work has been completed?
- By when will the remaining work be completed?
A vacant chair was placed at the protest site with a note reading ‘For the Representative of the Accountable Government’. The concerned official was invited for discussions, and arrangements were made to submit a memorandum outlining the key demands and resolutions.
Two Resolutions Passed Unanimously
During the programme, a resolution was unanimously passed demanding that details regarding the Sainy Dham project’s cost, expenditure, tenders, work orders, revisions, current construction status and completion timeline be made public.
The protesters also demanded an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations associated with the project. Former servicemen and Congress workers called for transparency, accountability and respect for soldiers to remain the central priorities in the project.
They reiterated their demand for an investigation into the alleged corruption-related issues and the resignation of Ganesh Joshi over the statement concerning electoral benefits.
The two resolutions passed unanimously at the protest site, along with the memorandum of demands, were forwarded to the government through Rajpur Police Station Sub-Inspector P.D. Bhatt.
Leaders and Workers Present
Those present at the protest included Colonel Ram Ratan Negi, president of the Ex-Servicemen Department; Sujata Paul, vice-president of the Uttarakhand Congress; Congress spokesperson and advocate Pankaj Kshetri; Ex-Servicemen Department vice-president Gopal Singh Gadiya; Doiwala Block President Vijay Goswami; Block General Secretary Ravinder Singh Bartwal; Raipur Block President Sarjeet Krishali; Ram Singh Bisht; Virendra Singh Bisht; Brigadier Dangwal; Virendra Singh; Congress spokesperson Dr Pratima Singh; Pradesh Congress General Secretary Rajendra Shah, along with other office-bearers, former servicemen and party workers.
