In response to the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s recent observations regarding the dire state of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), the state government has established a one-member committee to assess the corporation’s financial health. Retired IAS officer Tarun Shridhar will head the committee, which is tasked with examining HPTDC’s fiscal situation and proposing measures to restore profitability. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within six months. Notably, Shridhar has declined any financial remuneration for his role, as stated in the government order.
The High Court also directed a special investigation team (SIT) to look into sexual assault allegations within the cinema industry, prompted by the Justice Hema Committee report. The SIT is tasked with safeguarding the identities of victims while investigating the potential use of alcohol and drugs on film sets. A compliance review is scheduled for October 28.
In a separate directive, the High Court ordered the formation of hospital-based committees in line with the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014. This decision follows a petition regarding kidney transplant approvals, which highlighted the lack of these essential committees and the non-compliance of district-level bodies currently overseeing transplant requests.
In other news, the state government has denied the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) a request for space in the old Public Works Department complex. This decision has thwarted CCP’s plans to relocate and construct a new office, as the current space in the old commercial tax office has been deemed insufficient.
As these developments unfold, stakeholders are keenly observing the government’s commitment to addressing these pressing issues in the region.
