The Sukhu government of Himachal Pradesh is facing setbacks one after another from the High Court. The High Court (Himachal High Court) has today issued orders to close 18 loss-making hotels of HPTDC with immediate effect. These hotels include The Palace Hotel Chail, Hotel Geetanjali Dalhousie, Hotel Baghal Dadlaghat, Hotel Dhauladhar Dharamshala, Hotel Kunal Dharamshala, Hotel Kashmir House Dharamshala, Hotel Apple Blossom Fagu, Hotel Chandrabhaga Keylong, Hotel Deodar Khajjiar, Hotel Giriganga Kharapathar, Hotel Meghdoot Kyarighat, These include Hotel Sarwari Kullu, Hotel Log Huts Manali, Hotel Hadimba Cottage Manali, Hotel Kunjum Manali, Hotel Bhagsu McLeodganj, Hotel The Castle Naggar Kullu and Hotel Shivalik Parwanoo.
Explaining the reason for this order, the court said that it is necessary to do so to ensure that public resources are not wasted in the maintenance of these white elephants by the Tourism Development Corporation.
Information related to the business done by a total of 56 hotels was placed before the court. After examining this information, the court termed the above mentioned hotels as white elephants and said that these hotels are a burden on the state. The court said that the Tourism Development Corporation has not been able to utilize its assets to earn profit. Continuing to operate these properties is naturally nothing but a burden on the state exchequer.
The court gave this order after hearing the case related to not giving financial benefits to retired employees of Tourism Corporation. The court has asked the Managing Director of Tourism Development Corporation to file a compliance affidavit for the implementation of these orders related to the closure of the above hotel. The court has also asked HPTDC to submit the list of retired Class IV employees and those unfortunate employees who are no longer in this world, who have not received their financial benefits.
