S Gopal Puri
Dharamshala: RS Bali, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), has issued a sharp warning to those he believes are attempting to conspire against him, stating that he is fully aware of the individuals involved.
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Dhauladhar in Dharamshala on Monday, Bali said, “Whosoever is conspiring against me, I am keeping a sharp eye on them. Whether it is a politician or an officer, let me make it clear—particularly to officers—I know someone is calling people and trying to spread negativity.”
Bali invoked Himachal’s traditional practice of Bartandari —a custom of returning more than what one receives in ‘shagun’ (a ceremonial offering)—to underline his response to the conspiracies.
“In our society, there is a tradition of Bartandari, where if you receive an amount as shagun, you return even more. So, whether it is a politician or an officer, RS Bali will return it by adding more,” he remarked, implying that he would respond to attacks with even greater force.
The remarks came in the backdrop of recent controversy surrounding the purchase of a hotel in Palampur by Bali’s family. Clarifying the matter, Bali said that the transaction was carried out transparently, with his wife securing a loan of ₹18 crore from another bank and the family arranging an additional ₹6 crore from personal savings to complete the purchase.
“There is nothing hidden about this. We have followed due process. The attempt to spread rumors and create doubts is politically motivated,” Bali asserted.
The HPTDC Chairman emphasized that his focus remains on strengthening Himachal’s tourism sector and that such distractions would not derail his agenda. “I am here to serve the people and promote tourism, not to get entangled in unnecessary controversies,” he added.
Bali’s strong remarks, coupled with the invocation of Bartandari, signal his intent to counter political and bureaucratic opposition with both cultural symbolism and firm rebuttals, setting the stage for a continued tussle within Himachal’s political landscape.
