Protest Against Shifting HPTDC Office from Shimla to Dharamshala

Hundreds of people associated with Shimla’s tourism industry organized a meeting at Binduraj, Dharamshala-Shimla, to oppose the relocation of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) office from Shimla to Dharamshala. The meeting was attended by hotel operators, homestay owners, B&B operators, restaurant owners, tour and travel operators, taxi drivers, horse and yak handlers, pram operators, guides, drivers, laborers, porters, artisans, craftsmen, shopkeepers, farmers, and street vendors, among others.

The meeting resolved to hold strong protests against the state government’s anti-tourism, anti-public, and anti-HPTDC employee policies. A massive rally will be held on 22nd August at the Shimla Deputy Commissioner’s office and on 25th August at the Legislative Assembly.

Key attendees included:

• Harish Vyas (President, Guide & Tour and Travel Association)
• Vijender Mehra (State President, CITU)
• Rajendra Thakur (Chairman, Three Star Taxi Union & Joint Action Committee Himachal Pradesh)
• Rumit Thakur (State President, Devbhumi Kshatriya Sangathan)
• Advocate Om Prakash Goyal (Former General Secretary, HPTDC Employees Union)
• Balbir Rana (President, Churdhar Taxi Operators Union & State President, All India Transport Workers Federation)
• Jagat Ram (Vice President, CITU)
• Rajendra Sharma (President, Jaymata Taxi Union ISBT)
• Ritesh Thakur (Himachal Haven Holidays Tour & Travel)
• Bittu Thakur (President, Snow View Taxi Operators Union)
• Vinod Thakur (President, Dhalli Taxi Union)
• Rakesh & Sunil (Chhota Shimla Taxi Union)
• Devaraj Sharma (Naktan Tour & Travel)
• Prem Sharma (Palak Tour & Travel)
• Arun Sharma (Him Tour & Travel)
• Naresh Kumar (Airport Jubbarhatti Taxi Operators Union)
• Anil Sharma (Treasurer, Shimla Guide Union)
• Others: Govind Negi, Balak Ram, Ramakant Mishra, Vivek Kashyap, Himee Devi, Ranjeet Kuthiyala, Kapil Negi, Purn Chand, Rakesh Ravi, etc.

Speakers Condemn the Move

Addressing the gathering, Harish Vyas, Vijender Mehra, Rajendra Thakur, Om Prakash Goyal, Jagat Ram, Rumit Thakur, Rajendra Sharma, Balbir Rana, and Vivek Kashyap stated that shifting the HPTDC office from Shimla would adversely impact tourism in Shimla and Himachal Pradesh. They called the government’s decision anti-public, anti-tourism, and anti-employee.

Key Arguments Against the Relocation:

1. Shimla’s Historical Tourism Significance: For over 200 years, Shimla has been a globally recognized tourist destination. A major portion of the state’s tourism revenue comes from Shimla.
2. Administrative & Practical Challenges:

• The HPTDC Board of Directors includes high-ranking officials like the Chief Secretary, Tourism Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Director of Tourism, who are based in Shimla.
• The Chief Minister usually chairs the board, making coordination difficult if the office is moved hundreds of kilometers away.

1. Financial & Logistical Burden:

• Employees currently benefit from Shimla’s EPF office. Relocation would force them to travel long distances, wasting time and money.
• The move will increase the corporation’s financial burden.

1. Livelihood at Stake:

• Shimla has the highest number of tourism-dependent workers in the state, including hoteliers, taxi operators, guides, and artisans.
• Relocating the office will severely affect their livelihoods.

Demand to the Government

The protesters demanded that the state government immediately revoke the decision and keep the HPTDC office in Shimla as before.