SHIMLA: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation(HPRDC) has earned a profit of Rs 11.84 crore during the months of April, May and June in 2022.
Presiding over the HPTDC's 50th Foundation Day function at Peterhof here today the State Government would sympathetically consider implementation of the recommendations of 6th pay commission for the employees of and the issue would be brought in the BoD meeting.
But Chief Minister announced HPTDC earned Rs 11.84 Crore profit in April-June period, 2022, which is a peak tourist season, but he did not give an over-all picture of HTDC's finances in its 50 years long journey.
Chief Minister said Corporation during these 50 years starting from 11 hotels with about 165 employees today has 54 hotels and about 2000 employees.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government also launched several schemes to expand and spread tourism activities to lesser known places under ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein’ scheme.
He said that the present State Government has sanctioned Rs. 250 crore under this scheme to boost tourism activities in the State.
He said that Shiv Dham mega project phase-I at Kangnidhar in Mandi district was being executed by the HPTDC under Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein Scheme.
Chief Minister said that to improve accessibility in the State, five heliports have been constructed at Shimla, Baddi, Rampur, Mandi and Manali.
He said that heli taxi services have also been started from Chandigarh to Shimla, Shimla to
Rampur-Mandi-Dharamsala etc. He said that the Detailed Project Report of the new Airport at Mandi was in its final stage.
He said that Swadesh Darshan scheme projects like Art and Culture Centre at Bhalie, Artificial Climbing wall at Manali, Village Hatt at Kangra, Heliport at Shimla, beautification of Hatkoti Temple have been executed and Convention Centre at Kiarighat and Paragliding Centre Bir Billing were almost in completion stage.
He stressed the need to popularize the bewitching places of the state at prominent cities of the country so that maximum tourists could be attracted to Himachal Pradesh.
He said that HPTDC must work with new zeal and professionalism by upgrading their skills so as to ensure that the Corporation becomes a profit making organization.
Director Tourism and Managing Director HPTDC Amit Kashyap said State Government during this testing time, provided adequate financial assistance to bail out the Corporation from this situation.
He said HPDC has acted as a catalyst, trendsetter and a prime mover for the promotion of domestic and foreign tourism in Himachal Pradesh.