HP Tourism employees' union BJP opposes proposed PPP transfer of Peterhoff

Shimla, Nov 7 (PTI) The Tourism Corporation Employees' Union on Saturday has appealed to the Himachal Pradesh government to keep Hotel Peterhoff under its management instead of handing it over to private hands.

    Speaking to PTI, Himachal Tourism Corporation Employees' Union General Secretary Raj Kumar said that for a long time the hotel has been one of the corporation's highest revenue-generating properties.

    Sharma urged the government to reconsider handing over Hotel Peterhoff to private entities under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

    It is a matter of grave concern that, following a decision made during the state Cabinet meeting on January 19 this year, steps are being taken to hand over the facility to the private sector under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the union office bearer said.

    The Union believes approximately 70 to 80 per cent of the hotel can be restored to a functional state and upgraded with modern amenities, he said.

    Located in Shimla, the grand Hotel Peterhoff, formerly known as 'Meghdoot', is one of the state's select historical and prestigious properties. It has long served as a venue for important government and non-government events, high-level departmental meetings, and proceedings of various commissions.

    It also holds special significance for Shimla residents.

    Furthermore, it has consistently provided accommodation and hosted events for distinguished guests, including VVIPs and prominent visitors from across the country and abroad.

    The employees' Union firmly maintains that instead of transferring Hotel Peterhoff to private hands, the damaged portions should be reconstructed and the remaining intact sections be renovated in phases.

    The Himachal Tourism Corporation should continue to operate the hotel.

    Furthermore, the hotel's banquet hall, kitchen, restaurant, and lawn can be renovated while keeping them functional, ensuring the hotel can continue to host government and private events, weddings, social gatherings, and other significant activities, just as it has in the past.

    Criticising the state government's reported proposal to hand over the historic Peterhof guest house in Shimla under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the BJP State Media In-charge Randhir Sharma on Saturday questioned the reported decision to discontinue bookings after November 25.

    "Peterhof is a valuable public asset of Himachal Pradesh. The government must explain why a functioning and historically significant property is being considered for private redevelopment," Sharma said in a statement issued here.

    Expressing concern over reports that other Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation hotels and restaurants could also be transferred to private operators, the sitting BJP MLA from Shri Naina Devi assembly constituency demanded transparency regarding the government's plans for public properties and opposed any decision that could undermine the state's long-term interests.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)