HPTDC crosses ₹100 crore mark, but at what cost? CM flaunts figures, insiders credit management shake-up
Shimla, April 30 — Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has clocked its highest-ever turnover — ₹107 crore — breaking the ₹100 crore ceiling for the first time.
While Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called it a “historic milestone” and praised his government’s policies, insiders say the real credit goes to internal tightening rather than top-level talk.
#⃣ Political pitch or performance boost?
The CM, while chairing a review meeting of HPTDC and the tourism department, took a jab at the previous BJP regime, saying the turnover during their term hovered around ₹78 crore.
But behind the scenes, it can be assessed by Himbumail an overhaul was led MD Dr. Rajeev Kumar, supported by Raghuvir Bali especially after the High Court pulled up the corporation and bills stuck with government and private agencies started moving.
Dr. Kumar, known for his surprise inspections, is said to have visited nearly every HPTDC unit, issued strict revenue targets, and curbed pilferage.
“He brought a CEO-style discipline to a sluggish PSU,” a staffer revealed.
#⃣ Hop-on, Hop-off orders, but where are the wheels?
Among fresh announcements, the CM instructed officials to start ‘Hop-on, Hop-off’ luxury buses and distribute food vans to local entrepreneurs.
While the idea sounds good on paper, there’s no clarity yet on when the buses will actually start rolling — or whether they’ll just remain parked in press notes.
#⃣ Pension pitch with politics?
Sukhu also claimed that ₹41 crore worth of pension benefits were released in the last two and a half years — nearly double of what the BJP managed in five.
But many say this was long-overdue relief being spun as achievement. “Pension is a right, not a favour,” said a retired HPTDC employee, asking not to be named and one that had moved the High Court for seeking gratuity.
#⃣ Big dreams, shaky ground?
He said ₹2,415 crore is planned for tourism infra, heliports, wayside amenities, and religious tourism projects like Shivdham in Mandi and Renuka lake beautification.
It looks the government seems to be aiming for sky-high tourism revenue.
But many such projects in the past got stuck between files, funds and forest clearances. A long way to go for tourism officials.
For now, the ₹100 crore turnover is a feather in the cap — but the credit seems less about slogans and more about strong internal housekeeping.
Will Sukhu government put them on fast track?
The big question now: will unit managers keep up this momentum, exploring new revenue streams and tapping potential clients
OR will they drift back into the comfort zone of complacency and chaos?
That, perhaps, is what will decide whether this milestone was a fluke… or the start of a real turnaround.
