HPTDC to now procure Rs 25 crore items from Civil Supplies Corp every year

The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) will now procure food items and other essential supplies directly from the Himachal Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation, said RS Bali, Chairman of the HPTDC, while addressing mediapersons here on Saturday.

He said that the HPTDC had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Civil Supplies Corporation in this regard. He added that the HPTDC would procure goods worth Rs 20 crore to Rs 25 crore every year through the State Civil Supplies Corporation.

Bali said, “At present, the HPTDC makes annual market purchases worth around Rs 30 crore to 40 crore. As per the new arrangement, the State Civil Supplies Corporation will supply A-grade material, including ration, groceries and other essential items, to HPTDC hotels.” The HPTDC would make payments to the corporation within one and a half month, he added.

He said that this agreement would benefit the HPTDC by ensuring the availability of quality supplies at lower rates as compared to the open market. Quality parameters had been mutually agreed upon and shared with the State Civil Supplies Corporation to ensure highest standards, he added.

Bali said that the HPTDC had achieved the highest-ever profit in the past two and a half years. The annual turnover of the corporation had risen from Rs 78 crore to Rs 107 crore, crossing the Rs 100 crore mark for the first time despite natural disasters, he added.

He said that during the last Board of Directors’ meeting in 2022, it was decided to pay gratuity to employees under the revised pay scales of 2016. A total of Rs 41 crore had been disbursed to employees, in comparison to Rs 26 crore given during the five-year tenure of the previous BJP government.

Bali said that the HPTDC hotels required renovation and maintenance and discussions had been held with the government in this regard. “We have sought Rs 300 crore from Asian Development Bank for the renovation of HPTDC hotels. This will enhance profitability and increase the turnover of the corporation to Rs 300 crore in the near future,” he added.

MD, HPTDC, Rajiv Kumar; MD, Civil Supplies Corporation, Rajeshwar Goel and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Himachal Tribune