HPTDC salary delay triggers employee protest

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BMS demands RS Bali’s removal over delayed salaries and warns of protests

Shimla, September 24

A delay in salary payments at the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has triggered employee protests, with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) demanding the immediate removal of chairman RS Bali.

The union said HPTDC employees had not received their August 2026 salaries even by September 24, claiming the delay had made it difficult for employees to manage their household expenses.

Addressing a press conference in Shimla, BMS representatives raised the slogan “Bali Hatao, Tourism Bachao” and demanded that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu take direct charge of the Tourism Department.

According to the union, 1,570 employees, including 1,000 regular staff, 70 daily-wage workers and 500 outsourced employees, were awaiting their August salaries.

The BMS alleged that the HPTDC management and its chairman were responsible for the corporation’s financial difficulties. It further alleged that around 150 to 200 people from Bali’s Assembly constituency had been improperly recruited into the corporation.

The union also alleged that renovation work had been started simultaneously at four HPTDC units in Kullu, affecting revenue generation. It claimed that preparations were also underway to hand over eight HPTDC units under the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Model for a second time.

The BMS warned of further protests if its demands were not accepted, including black-flag demonstrations and the burning of the chairman’s effigy.

The union issued an ultimatum over the salary delay, saying that if the dues were not cleared by October 1, employees would suspend services for one day at Himachal Bhawans in Shimla and Chandigarh, Mandi Sadan in Delhi, the Secretariat, Assembly, Willy’s Park and the residences of ministers and officials.

The BMS made the allegations, which have not been independently verified.