logo
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation records Rs 107-crore turnover for first time, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hails ‘effective management'

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation records Rs 107-crore turnover for first time, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hails ‘effective management'

Time of India30-04-2025

Shimla: The
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
(HPTDC) has achieved an annual turnover of Rs 107 crore under the present state govt, up from Rs 78 crore during the previous BJP govt, despite facing challenges posed by natural disasters in the state, said chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday.
Sukhu, while presiding over a meeting of the HPTDC and tourism department, stated that this success was due to effective management of the HPTDC hotels and restaurants, along with regular maintenance and optimal utilisation of the properties. Due to the profits earned by the HPTDC, the corporation was able to clear Rs 41 crore in benefits for the pensioners over the last two and a half years, whereas the previous BJP govt disbursed only Rs 26 crore during its five-year term, he added.
The chief minister directed the officers to further improve service across the HPTDC properties and explore the possibilities of leasing out vacant properties of HPTDC on an operation and maintenance basis to private players. He also lauded the purchase agreement between HPTDC and the food and civil supplies corporation for the supply of materials to HPTDC hotels, including ration, groceries, and other essential items.
Sukhu also reviewed various developmental projects of the tourism department and directed that these projects be expedited to yield maximum revenue for the state and enhance infrastructure for tourists visiting the state. The state govt is investing Rs 2,415 crore to develop better infrastructure, wayside amenities, and promote other adventure sports activities to attract tourists to the state, he added.
The chief minister instructed the tourism department to provide food vans to local people and commence Hop-on, Hop-off luxury bus rides on local tourism routes in the hill state. He also asked the department to complete the construction work of Shivdham in Mandi district at the earliest and beautification works in the Renuka lake area to make these more appealing to tourists. Sukhu also instructed the officers for the swift operationalisation of the heliports to improve air connectivity to various hill stations of the state.
Sukhu also reviewed expansion projects of Kangra, Shimla, and Bhuntar airports to provide better air connectivity to tourists, boosting tourism activities in the state. HPTDC chairman Raghuvir Singh Bali, MLA Suresh Kumar, principal secretary Devesh Kumar, director of tourism Vivek Bhatia, and other senior officers also attended the meeting. MSID:: 120767433 413 |

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

35 MRP breach costs bike service centre 50,000
35 MRP breach costs bike service centre 50,000

Time of India

time19 minutes ago

  • Time of India

35 MRP breach costs bike service centre 50,000

1 2 Ahmedabad: A consumer commission has ordered a motorcycle service centre to pay compensation of Rs 50,000 to a customer for charging Rs 35 more than the maximum retail price printed on an engine oil packet. According to the case details, one Nikunj Parmar visited the Suzuki motorcycle service centre — Arke Suzuki Service — at Nava Vadaj on May 20, 2024, to purchase a packet of engine oil. While the packet bore a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 455, the service centre charged him Rs 490. He objected to being charged Rs 35 extra and later filed his complaint with the national consumer helpline portal, but no action was taken against the centre. Parmar then sued the service centre, Turquoise Autobots LLP and Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd, at the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Ahmedabad (city). The service centre did not respond to the commission's notice within time, and the auto company argued that it should not be held liable since no specific relief was not sought against it. The complainant submitted that the motorcycle company recommended the company-made engine oil to enhance the vehicle's performance. When he objected to being charged more than the MRP, he faced verbal abuse as well. The commission said that the manufacturer's liability is limited in this case according to Section 84 of the Consumer Protection Act. It said the complainant should establish that the overcharging was done at the behest of Suzuki, but there was no such evidence. The commission stated that charging more than the MRP illegally can be called an unfair trade practice. "Moreover, the staff misbehaved with the customer, did not use proper language and snatched the oil pack from him. They finally succeeded in extracting Rs 35 more from the customer…This requires an exemplary punishing order," the commission stated and clarified that Suzuki, the company, was not liable. The commission ordered Arke Suzuki Service and Turquoise Autobots LLP to refund Rs 35 to Parmar with 8% interest and to pay him a compensation of Rs 50,000 for causing mental and physical harassment. It has also ordered an additional payment of Rs 5,000 to the customer towards legal expenses.

Govt positive about Nashik airport expansion: Mohol
Govt positive about Nashik airport expansion: Mohol

Time of India

time19 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Govt positive about Nashik airport expansion: Mohol

Nashik: Union minister of state for civic aviation Murlidhar Mohol on Wednesday said govt was positive about the expansion of the Nashik airport terminal in view of the Kumbh Mela . Mohol said the new airport terminal was built at Prayagraj in just 15 months ahead of the Kumbh Mela there. "Now, we are positive about the expansion of the existing Nashik airport terminal building and also improving its air connectivity," he said. The Nashik airport, managed by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is located around 20km from Nashik city. Mohol said he discussed the airport expansion with CM Devendra Fadnavis, who requested him to visit the facility and review the scope for expansion. The Union minister also held a meeting with HAL and Nashik airport officials, directing HAL to send an expansion proposal to CM Fadnavis and him. A delegation of Nashik Industries & Manufacturers' Association (NIMA) also met Mohol and discussed issues related to the airport expansion and approval for the immigration check-post at the terminal. NIMA president Ashish Nahar stated Mohol assured them of expanding the airport terminal and enhancing the air connectivity from the airport. Manish Rawal, chairman of the aviation committee of NIMA, said considering the rise in the number of flights and passengers during the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, there was a need to increase the capacity of the existing airport terminal. At present, a private airline is operating flights from Nashik airport to six destinations — Delhi, Goa, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Nagpur. The airline is also planning to start flights to Kolkata. State govt and HAL jointly developed the Nashik airport terminal around 12 years back at Rs 94 crore. In 2015, state govt leased the airport terminal at Rs 1,000 per month for 30 years till 2045. The seating capacity of the present terminal building is around 300 passengers. The average passengers footfall at the airport throughout the day is around 1,500.

GDA makes a digital ‘PAHAL' with first e-allotment letter for 1.3cr plot
GDA makes a digital ‘PAHAL' with first e-allotment letter for 1.3cr plot

Time of India

time19 minutes ago

  • Time of India

GDA makes a digital ‘PAHAL' with first e-allotment letter for 1.3cr plot

Ghaziabad: In a shift toward paperless, contact-free transactions, Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) issued its first fully online allotment letter this week, marking the official rollout of PAHAL (Public Access for Housing and Allotment Login), a platform designed to bring property-related services under one digital umbrella. The move places GDA among the first urban authorities in UP to adopt a comprehensive online property allotment system. "At every stage, we have worked to reduce human intervention," GDA vice chairperson Atul Vats said. "PAHAL is one of the most transformative tools we've implemented so far. On Tuesday, the first allottee was able to complete the entire process online without having to visit our office even once." The allottee, who booked a 165 sqm commercial plot in the Indraprastha Housing Scheme for Rs 1.3 crore, received the official allotment letter via email — a process that would earlier have taken months of in-person visits and manual paperwork. The PAHAL portal allows users to pay property dues, verify and view property details, download allotment letters, apply for mutation, and complete allotment registration online. It is also equipped to provide automated updates and reminders for due payments, helping property owners avoid fines and delays. Before the digital shift, accessing property records meant navigating stacks of physical files, outdated maps and layers of bureaucracy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The process of compiling and verifying data for a single locality could stretch to seven months. PAHAL now offers instant access to this information, greatly reducing turnaround time and improving transparency. Internally, GDA has also moved toward a paperless workflow through the e-office system. Earlier, a file concerning engineering or civic planning would pass physically from a junior engineer to an assistant engineer, onward to a nodal officer, and finally to the chief engineer. Now, all such processes are handled digitally, streamlining interdepartmental coordination and eliminating bureaucratic delays. In another consumer-centric reform, GDA has introduced a slot-booking system for property registration, mirroring models used in passport and driving licence services. Applicants can choose their preferred date and time through the GDA portal. A checklist guides them through the necessary documents, and once scheduled, registry officials will be ready to process the transaction at the appointed time, eliminating long waits and reducing congestion at the office. "With PAHAL, we are offering a modern, transparent, and citizen-friendly experience," Vats said. "It's not just about convenience; it's about accountability and efficiency."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store