BJP's Vipin Singh Parmar Critiques Congress Government's Hotel Privatization Plan in Himachal Pradesh

Criticism of Hotel Privatization Proposal

Dharamshala — Vipin Singh Parmar, the former Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly and current MLA from Sulah, has voiced strong opposition to the Congress government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu regarding its initiative to privatize 14 hotels owned by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). Parmar accused the government of attempting to divest state-owned heritage properties under the guise of financial difficulties.

Parmar raised questions about the justification for this decision, noting that HPTDC has reportedly earned over ₹100 crore in revenue. He challenged, “If that’s the case, how can these hotels be deemed unprofitable?” suggesting that the government is misleading both the public and the judiciary.

He emphasized that several of these hotels are regarded as cultural landmarks by visitors and should not be transferred to private ownership. Parmar alleged that the Sukhu administration is fabricating reports to demonstrate false losses, recalling that previously, 18 hotels were incorrectly classified as liabilities for privatization.

The BJP leader also expressed concern for the job security of thousands of regular and contractual workers, warning that privatization could lead to significant unemployment. He pointed out inconsistencies within the Congress government, noting that HPTDC Chairman R.S. Bali has raised concerns, indicating that the cabinet may not have been fully informed about the hotel privatization strategy.

In conclusion, Parmar argued that the government should focus on renovating and managing the hotels effectively to generate substantial revenue instead of pursuing privatization. He criticized the Sukhu administration's performance as ineffective and deceptive, particularly regarding its unfulfilled commitment to transform Kangra into a tourism hub.