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The High Court instructed the HPTDC Managing Director to comply with the closure orders by November 25, mounting the adjacent proceeding day for December 3. (File Photo)
Referring to government-run hotels operating astatine a nonaccomplishment arsenic “white elephants”, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the authorities Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) to adjacent 18 of its 56 hotels immediately. The order, issued by Justice Ajay Mohan Goel connected Tuesday, came during the proceeding of a petition concerning the non-payment of fiscal benefits to retired employees of the corporation.
The tribunal instructed the HPTDC Managing Director to comply with the closure orders by November 25, mounting the adjacent proceeding day for December 3. The corp operates 56 hotels crossed the state, galore of which person been moving astatine a nonaccomplishment for years. It has struggled to wage salaries and pensions, with the substance of pensioners’ work benefits inactive pending successful court.
The 18 hotels ordered to adjacent see The Palace Hotel, Chail; Geetanjali, Dalhousie; Hotel Baghal, Darlaghat; hotels Dhauladhar, Kunal, and Kashmir House successful Dharamshala; Apple Blossom, Fagu; Chanderbhaga, Keylong; Hotel Devdar, Khajjiar; Giriganga successful Kharapathar; Hotel Meghdoot successful Kiarighat; Sarvari successful Kullu; Log Huts, Hadimba Cottage, and Kunzam successful Manali; Hotel Bhagsu, Mcleodganj; The Castle, Naggar; and Hotel Shivalik successful Parwanoo.
The tribunal bid stated, “On December 3, the Managing Director of the Tourism Development Corporation shall record a compliance affidavit regarding the implementation of the bid passed contiguous and furnish a database of retired Class-IV employees and deceased employees. The funds generated from the dues received by the Tourism Development Corporation shall beryllium ordered to beryllium released successful favour of the retired employees and the families of deceased employees. The Tourism Development Corporation shall besides update the tribunal connected the magnitude received from dues payable by the authorities and backstage entities to the Corporation.”
“To guarantee nationalist resources are not wasted… connected these ‘white elephants,’ it is hereby ordered that the properties listed shall cease operations effectual November 25, 2024, arsenic their continued functioning is financially unfeasible,” the tribunal added.
In compliance with earlier tribunal orders, HPTDC had submitted occupancy information for its 56 hotels. The tribunal permitted “skeletal staff” for indispensable spot upkeep and allowed the corp to transportation the remaining employees elsewhere.
The tribunal noted that hotels with little than 50 per cent occupancy were a “burden connected the state” and criticised the corp for failing to utilise its properties profitably. It observed, “The continuation of these properties’ operations is simply a load connected the authorities exchequer. The tribunal takes judicial announcement of the state’s fiscal crunch, which is often highlighted successful cases involving finances.”
Meanwhile, government-run hotels with occupancy rates supra 50 per cent see Hotel Hamir successful Hamirpur; Jwalaji, Jawalamukhi; Ros Common (Old), Kasauli; Tourist Inn, Rewalsar; The Suket, Sundernagar and Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh.
Notably, connected November 18, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel ordered the attachment of Himachal Bhawan, the state’s premier guesthouse astatine 27 Sikandra Road, New Delhi, for imaginable auction implicit unpaid dues to Seli Hydro Electric Power Company.
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