Ex-min questions HPTDC chief over High Court orders

Former minister Bikram Thakur has reiterated his stand over Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) Chairman RS Bali needing to take responsibility on the recent closure orders passed by the High Court.

He was referring to the changed affidavit subsequently furnished by the corporation when the orders came for the closure of 18 of its prime properties in the state.

Thakur, while addressing a press conference at Dharamsala, said, “Bali had recently asked me to give an affidavit in a press conference. In this context, I clearly say that Bali himself is a hotelier, and his being in this position creates a situation of conflict of interest.”

He said Bali had said in the court that the hotels of HPTDC were running into losses. However, when he saw the reaction of the public after the court’s instructions, he gave a statement that hotels were running well.

Such contradictory statements raise questions on his intentions.

He also has his own hotels and is personally involved in this business. This situation does not meet the standards of transparency and impartiality.

He asked Bali to furnish an affidavit telling what concrete steps he took for the unemployed youth after coming to power after his Berojgar Yatra, held before the Assembly elections.

The public had the right to know how many of his promises were fulfilled and what happened to the claims made for the unemployed, he said.