The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam to focus on increasing its revenue, development of its infrastructural facilities and improvement of its service.
As part of the first phase of modernisation of the GMVN tourist rest houses, a sum of `3 crore will be provided for modernization of 21 such rest houses. A sum of `2 crore will be provided for repair and other works in the corporation’s other rest houses and resorts. The operation of the rest houses should be made systematic and focus should be laid on their online marketing. Chief minister Harish Rawat issued this instructions while chairing a meeting to review functioning of the GMVN here on Thursday.
Rawat said that if properly maintained, the rest houses can prove helpful in raising the corporation from loss. Focus should also be laid on outsourcing for this. He directed that special attention should be given to Hotel Drona and the corporation’s rest house in Mussoorie. The corporation should also focus on trekking routes at Badrinath, Kedarnath and construction of tent colony. Efficient employees should be encouraged and arrangements should be made for their training. The CM elicited focus on the need for adopting latest techniques and learning from the private hospitality industry. He directed officials to ensure that various products and handicrafts of Garhwal are marketed in the corporation’s rest houses.
The chief secretary Rakesh Sharma said that financial assistance can be provided under programmes of the ADB for proposals aimed at increasing revenue sources though the corporation will have to take the initiative.
The GMVN will have to make efforts at all levels to increase its income. There is no dearth of opportunities for increasing revenue but the employees will have to understand that they will also benefit from this, added the chief secretary.
Tourism minister and GMVN chairman Dinesh Dhanai, vice chairman Vishal Dobhal, principal secretary Dr Umakant Panwar, managing director C Ravishankar, additional secretary Ashish Joshi and others were present in the meeting.