Chandigarh, April 27, 2022 (Yes Punjab News)
With a view to further improve the quality, efficiency, utility of the Hospitality department, the Transport & Hospitality Minister, Punjab, Mr. Laljit Singh Bhullar today held a review meeting with the administrative authorities of Hospitality department.
The Minister specially took stock of the condition of the Punjab Bhawan & circuit houses in Punjab, Chandigarh & Shimla and discussed areas of improvement.
The Minister also expressed concern that despite huge infrastructure investments in the building & furnishing for the Circuit House Gurdaspur, it has not been made functional and sought a report on the reasons along with necessary requirements for making it functional at the earliest.
It was also noted with concern by the Minister that Cidar House Shimla has been under repairs for a long time and is still incomplete. Hence, the Director Hospitality was directed to collect status report form PWD B&R. A report on the scope for constructing new additional guest room complex on the surpluses plot land of Cidar Rest house Shimla was also desired.
Pointing out further, the Minister said that the concept and logistics for idea on bringing in certain circuit house properties under PPP model may also be reasoned for its continuity or review. He especially sought a separate report for the dismantling of the safe building of circuit house Amritsar constructed during the regime between 1992-95, and why the building was brought down despite the complex reportedly been believed to be safe and useable when demolished for constructing new one?
What were the objectives behind demotion of the building, construction for new building and handing over on long lease to a private business house. The heritage building complex Amritsar was to be retained by the Hospitality department and what were the reasons behind handing over that also to the private agency? A special report on the working for all the circuit houses, status for those reportedly under process for bringing them under PP model was also sought from the officers.
On the occasion, the Minister along with the officers also visited the canteen premises in Punjab Civil Secretariat-1 at the 10th floor, 6th & 3rd floor to understand the functioning, services being provided & environment for improving the same as suggested by the employees eating out there and also as proposed by the officers of Hospitality department.
It was informed that refurbishment for the premises of canteen was taken up by the General Administration with coordination for the ADO -1 but due to certain reservations brought up by the UT Administration, Heritage guidelines, the renovation was deferred but the revised plan yet not been taken up for feasible improvements in the canteen. The Minister advised the Director Hospitality to get the status report on the file and for the time being may organize air condition (standing) facility for 11th floor canteen.
The officers of the Hospitality Department assured to leave no stone unturned for further improvements in the guest services from qualitative point of view.
Those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary General Administration – Protocol Rajat Agarwal, Director Public Relations & Hospitality Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, Joint Director Hospitality Nirmal Singh Sandhu & four Assistant Directors of Hospitality department, namely Harjinder Singh, R.L. Chopra, Sushil Kumar, Kulwant Singh apart from the OSD to M.T.&H Sandeep Puri.
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