Shimla
The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has issued directives to all its units regarding booking private banquet functions, such as weddings and parties. This action complies with a recent ruling in the case of Jai Krishan Mehta vs. HPTDC, which was issued by the Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh in CWP No. 9681 of 2023 & CMP No. 20472 of 2024.
The new rules require guests planning private events to give written confirmation of the date, the menu, and a minimum specified number of people. Only after receiving the necessary licenses and approvals from local authorities, as well as a 60% advance payment at the time of booking and an additional 20% seven days before the event, will reservations be confirmed.
HPTDC has directed strict compliance to ensure timely bill settlements within a week of each function, with unit in-charges and DDOs personally liable for any lapses. The corporation also emphasized the importance of recovering unpaid debts and strictly adhering to its reservation policy for accommodation reservations.
