In some relief, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has allowed nine hotels run by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) to operate till March, partially modifying its November 19 order to close 18 hotels by November 25.

Hotel Chail Palace, Chandrabhaga Keylong, a hotel in Khajjiar, Hotel Meghdoot, Log Huts Manali, Hotel Kunjum, Hotel Bhagsu, Castle Naggar and Hotel Dhauladhar have been allowed to operate till March 30, 2025.

The Tourism Development Corporation had moved an application before Justice Ajay Mohan Goel for recall/modification of the November 19 order.

Considering the corporate petition, the Supreme Court has allowed nine of the 18 hotels run by tourism companies to remain operational till March 30.

In its application, the government had referred to advance bookings, including weddings, that had been made in these establishments. The senior counsel appearing for the state had informed the single bench about the financial income of the 18 hotels and pointed out that some of these hotels, which apart from providing rooms, provide other facilities of restaurant and banquet halls etc. of late have started earning income from the same. Additionally, entities like The Palace Hotel, Chail and The Castle Naggar also earn income from entrance tickets.

The lawyer had pointed out that the state should strive to pull the company out of the red and besides ensuring that dues for its retired employees are paid on time.

Reacting to the decision, state revenue and horticulture minister Jagat Singh Negi said, “Tourism is the backbone of the state’s economy and the relief given by the HC will help promote tourism which supports the livelihood of the people attached to these hotels. The BJP is busy with to malign Himachal instead of supporting its development.”

The principal media advisor to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan said, “The matter was under consideration and appropriate action will be taken after the report of the committee constituted to reopen nine other hotels. The interest of the tourism companies’ offices, employees and stakeholders was absolutely certain and they need not fear”.

Blaming the previous BJP government, Chauhan said, “The state government faced the challenges it had inherited from the previous BJP government and all efforts were made to overcome them. The situation has arisen today (closure of hotels) due to mismanagement from the previous BJP government.”

While Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said “Even before the court orders, the state government had hatched a conspiracy to sell the hotels. The state Congress government is set to auction the state. The surprise is that the profitable tourist hotels are also being auctioned by showing that they are running at a loss .”