BJP’s Attempt to Outsource HPTDC Properties Criticized, State Government Defends Actions

Naresh Chauhan Slams BJP for Attempting to Outsource HPTDC Hotels, Defends State Government’s Decisions

Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor, Media to the Chief Minister, addressed the media today and criticized the BJP for attempting to outsource Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels during the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government. He stated that the proposal had raised a hue and cry in the Vidhan Sabha, and it was evident that even BJP ministers were unaware of the move. Chauhan accused BJP leaders of tarnishing the image of the state nationwide, by unnecessarily escalating the issue to stay in the media spotlight.

The BJP leaders, according to Chauhan, were using issues like Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi and other HPTDC properties to criticize the government for not fulfilling its promises. He emphasized that rather than raising these issues, the BJP should have acted during their tenure and adopted necessary measures. Chauhan blamed them for lacking administrative and legal knowledge.

He also clarified the issue regarding the payment of the upfront premium to M/s Moser Baer Power Project Ltd, which had agreed to set up a Hydroelectric Project (HEP) on the Chandra-Bhaga river. The company paid an upfront premium of Rs. 64 crore in a competitive bid and was later unable to execute the arbitration agreement. When the company demanded repayment of the premium, it was in violation of the provisions of the then energy policy. Chauhan assured that the state government would fight a legal battle for this matter.

Chauhan further discussed the legal case concerning Jangi-Thopan & Thopan-Powari Hydel Electric projects in Kinnaur, where M/s Adani Power Limited moved the court to claim an upfront premium of Rs. 280 crore. He highlighted that the decision to forfeit the upfront premium had been upheld by the double bench, and the state government was considering all aspects before taking any legal action.

Naresh Chauhan criticized the previous BJP government for neglecting these issues and allowing private bidders in the hydel sector by abolishing the royalty paid to the state. He praised the current government for restoring the royalty as part of the new energy policy.

Regarding the closure of HPTDC units, Chauhan confirmed that a committee had been formed to evaluate whether the units running at a loss should be outsourced or strengthened. A senior IAS officer would soon present the recommendations.

Chauhan also mentioned that the BJP was trying to defame Himachal due to elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and by-polls in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. He claimed that if not for the opposition in Vidhan Sabha, Jai Ram Thakur’s government would have sold off the HPTDC properties.

Chauhan questioned why the BJP was silent on several welfare initiatives by the current government, such as the Sukh-Aashray Yojna, which has made Himachal the first state in the country to adopt six thousand children as ‘Children of the State.’ He also pointed out the BJP’s silence on initiatives like the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Yojna, Rajiv Gandhi Startup Scheme, and the decision to start English medium in government schools from first class.

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