MANDI/SHIMLA (Munish Sood)
Employees of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) have launched a protest against Chairman RS Bali, demanding his immediate removal. During a press conference held in Shimla on Saturday, the employees accused Bali of neglecting their grievances and mishandling the corporation’s operations, pushing it deeper into financial distress.
The protesting employees alleged that despite repeated attempts, Bali, the Congress MLA from Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra, refused to meet them and address their concerns. They alleged that the financial figures presented by the management, particularly those labeling certain hotels as loss-making, were misleading.
“The data has been deliberately manipulated to portray profitable hotels as loss-making. We suspect this is as part of a conspiracy to privatise these properties,” said a union representative.
They also criticised the lack of transparency regarding the decisions made during the Tourism Corporation’s Board of Directors (BOD) meeting on November 5, stating that employees were kept in the dark about key outcomes.
Allegations of favoritism in recruitment
A major allegation levelled against Bali was favoritism in recruitment. The employees accused him of appointing 70 persons from his constituency Nagrota Bagwan to various positions in HPTDC hotels, sidelining eligible candidates from other regions.
Highlighting the corporation’s dire financial state, the employees revealed that the HPTDC is unable to pay salaries or pensions to retirees. They appealed to the state government for an urgent relief package of Rs 50 crore to help the corporation clear its mounting liabilities.
Blaming Bali for the crisis in the corporation, the employees urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take direct control of HPTDC and remove Bali from his position. Bali was appointed as the HPTDC chairman with cabinet rank by the Chief Minister.
High Court ordered closure of 18 hotels
Adding to the turmoil, the Himachal Pradesh High Court recently directed the closure of 18 HPTDC hotels due to ongoing financial issues. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel instructed the corporation’s Managing Director to ensure compliance with the court’s orders. The hotels ordered to shut down include:
1. The Palace Hotel, Chail
2. Hotel Geetanjali, Dalhousie
3. Hotel Baghal, Darlaghat
4. Hotel Dhauladhar, Dharamshala
5. Hotel Kunal, Dharamshala
6. Hotel Kashmir House, Dharamshala
7. Hotel Apple Blossom, Fagu
8. Hotel Chandrabhaga, Keylong
9. Hotel Devdar, Khajjiar
10. Hotel Giriganga, Kharapathar
11. Hotel Meghdoot, Kiarighat
12. Hotel Sarvari, Kullu
13. Hotel Log Huts, Manali
14. Hotel Hadimba Cottage, Manali
15. Hotel Kunzum, Manali
16. Hotel Bhagsu, McLeodganj
17. Hotel The Castle, Naggar
18. Hotel Shivalik, Parwanoo
Temporary reprieve for nine hotels
Following a review petition by the HPTDC, the high court granted a temporary reprieve till March 31 next year for nine of the 18 hotels to operate. These hotels include prime properties in Chail, Keylong, Khajjiar and Manali.
The HPTDC operates 56 hotels across Himachal Pradesh, but most of these have been incurring losses for years. The financial crunch has left the corporation unable to meet its obligations, including pensions and other employee benefits. Several pension-related cases are still pending in court, further exacerbating the crisis.
The employees have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met, calling for transparency, accountability and a comprehensive plan to revive the corporation’s financial health.
