Chairman HPTDC R.S. Bali said that the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) would now procure food items and other essential supplies directly from the Himachal Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation. He said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between HPTDC and Food Supplies Corporation here today.
R.S. Bali said that under this agreement, HPTDC would procure goods worth Rs. 20 to 25 crore annually through the Food and Supplies Corporation. At present HPTDC makes annual market purchases worth around Rs. 30 to 40 crore. As per the new arrangement, the Food and Supplies Corporation would supply A-grade material to HPTDC hotels, including ration, groceries and other essential items. He said that HPTDC would make payments to the Corporation within a period of one and a half month.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, R.S. Bali said that this agreement would benefit HPTDC by ensuring the availability of quality supplies at lower rates as compared to the open market. Quality parameters have been mutually agreed upon and shared with the Corporation to ensure the highest standards.
R.S. Bali further said that HPTDC has achieved the highest-ever profit in the last two and a half years. The annual turnover of the Corporation has risen from Rs. 78 crore to Rs. 107 crore, crossing the Rs. 100 crore marks for the first time in its history, despite the challenges posed by natural disasters.
He said that during the last Board of Director's meeting in 2022, it was decided to provide gratuity to employees under the revised pay scales of 2016. A total of Rs. 41 crore has been disbursed to employees, in comparison to Rs. 26 crore distributed during the five-year tenure of previous government.He said that there was a need for renovation and maintenance of HPTDC hotels of the state and discussions have been held with the government in this regard.
He said that we have requested for the grant of Rs. 300 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which would be spent on the renovation of HPTDC hotels. He said that this move was aimed to enhance the profitability and increase the turnover of Rs. 300 crore in the near future.MD HPTDC Rajiv Kumar, MD Civil Supplies Corporation Rajeshwar Goel and senior officers were present during the meeting.