The State Government would sympathetically consider implementation of the recommendations of 6th pay commission for the employees of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and the issue would be brought in the BoD meeting. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the 50th Foundation Day function of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation at Peterhof here today.
Chief Minister said that since its inception in the year 1972, the Corporation has progressed by leaps and bounds in all spheres. He said that the Corporation during these 50 years starting from 11 hotels with about 165 employees, today has 54 hotels and about 2000 employees. He said that the present State Government since its formation took many initiatives to bring professionalism in the Corporation.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government also launched several schemes to expand and spread tourism activities to lesser known places. He said that ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein’ scheme was an ambitious scheme to develop lesser known places from a tourism point of view. 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.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the Corporation has earned a profit of Rs 11.84 crore during the months of April, May and June this year. 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 so as to ensure that the Corporation becomes a profit making organization.
He said that the employees of the Corporation must regularly upgrade their skills to keep themselves updated and provide professional services to the guests.Chief Minister appreciated the employees of the Corporation for their excellent services rendered by them during the pandemic.
Director Tourism and Managing Director HPTDC Amit Kashyap said that the State Tourism Development Corporation during the fifty years of its existence has undergone a glorious journey. He said that during the Covid pandemic, the HPTDC economy was adversely affected. He said that the State Government during this testing time, provided adequate financial assistance to bail out the Corporation from this situation.
He said that Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has acted as a catalyst, trendsetter and a prime mover for the promotion of domestic and foreign tourism in Himachal Pradesh. President Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh Madan Rana said that the present State Government headed by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has ensured that the employees get their dues well in time and has always maintained cordial relations with the employees.
President HPTDC Employees Federation Dhabe Ram Chauhan welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. He urged the Chief Minister to sympathetically consider genuine demands of the employees of the Corporation. He also thanked the Chief Minister for successfully guiding the State during the Corona pandemic.
Principal Secretary Tourism Devesh Kumar, General Secretary HPTDC Employees Federation Raj Kumar Sharma, Executive President HPTDC Employees Federation Rajiv Soni, General Secretary HPTDC Employees Federation Yash Pal Hetta, former President BMS Surender Thakur were present on the occasion among others.