BJP failed to maintain HPTDC assets: Cong

Shimla: The Congress govt in the hill state has alleged that Tuesday’s high court judgment of closing 18 Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels was the result of “reckless spending by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime”.Deputy chief whip Kewal Singh Pathania and Nahan MLA Ajay Solanki on Wednesday slammed the previous BJP govt over its alleged “failure” in maintaining the properties of HPTDC, accusing the saffron party leaders of “blatant misuse of the tourism hotels”. It was during BJP’s tenure that the corporation's debt mounted, pushing it into loss, they said, adding, the incumbent govt will make sure that skeletal staff, which was necessary for the upkeep of the property, will be retained in the premises of “these 18 closed hotels for upkeep” while the excess staff would be transferred to other tourism hotels in the state.“During the BJP regime, in 2019-20, the HPTDC suffered a cumulative loss of Rs 4,900.68 lakh, which in the year 2020-21 escalated to Rs 4,996.53 lakh and in 2021-22 it mounted to Rs 5,198 lakh,” the Congress leaders said. They said due to the efforts of the present govt, the HPTDC was coming out of the losses and was gaining profits despite the “disaster” of the decade the state suffered. They claimed that as compared to 2023, the revenue of tourism, which includes catering and other income, has increased.Pathania said the Congress govt has committed itself to making Himachal Pradesh a favourable tourist destination and has announced to make Kangra the tourism capital of the state but it was “unfortunate” the HPTDC hotels in Kangra district were in the list to be closed.The Congress legislators said with regard to hotels having occupancy below 40%, the profit and loss cannot be judged merely in terms of occupancy.

Himachal High Court orders closure of HPTDCs 18 loss making prime hotels

The Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered the closure of 18 unprofitable HPTDC hotels, including the iconic Palace Hotel in Chail, starting November 25th. This decision comes after the court found the HPTDC's efforts to improve its financial situation inadequate. The court stressed that these closures aim to prevent further waste of public resources on unsustainable ventures.

Sukhu-led Congress govt has destroyed Himachal: BJP's Jairam Thakur after court attaches Himachal Bhawan

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has sharply criticized the current Congress government for alleged mismanagement. Thakur highlighted a court order to attach Himachal Bhavan in Delhi over unpaid bills as evidence of the government's failures. He expressed concern over the state's financial stability and criticized the government's handling of hydroelectric projects and agreements with central government entities.

BRS is out to topple state govt, say Congress leaders

Telangana Congress leaders have accused the BRS party of prioritizing political maneuvering over constructive opposition. They defended the Congress government's track record, highlighting initiatives like loan waivers and school development. The Congress also levied corruption allegations against BRS working president KT Rama Rao, linking him to the Vikarabad violence and Formula-E Racing controversy.

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