The Telugu Desam Party government’s preference for Public Private Partnership mode to implement projects in the tourism sector, which allows participation of private players, has triggered unrest among the 2,000-odd workers in various wings of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC).
Expressing fear of losing their jobs, the employees have been approaching officials of the department and people’s elected representatives to present their case.
Over a month back, the Tourism Corporation roped in a private firm to introduce toy games and adventure sports in Bhavani Island, an APTDC property in Vijayawada.
“We fear that the new operations have been handed over to private firms. Though the tourism authorities claim that PPP mode is being introduced at some places, the revenue-sharing in the stipulated proportion is not happening,” said P. Veera Reddy, assistant general secretary of the AP Tourism Contract, Manpower, Daily Wage Employees and Workers’ Union.
Does the Tourism Development Corporation have plans to private its operations? “Not all of them. We don’t intend to disturb the units that are in profits. We have asked the tourism divisional managers across the State for a feedback on performance of the APTDC properties in their respective areas. Our aim is to identify loss-making units and initiate steps to revitalise them. But the corporation can’t afford to operate perennially- loss-making projects. Privatisation is the only solution for them,” says Bala Subramanyam Reddy, Executive Director (Operations), APTDC.
The union leaders, meanwhile, allege that the authorities are using losses as a pretext to shirk responsibility. “It is a ploy as part of which many properties across the State have been left unattended. Ultimately, they will be privatised on the pretext that they are incurring losses,” says Mr. Veera Reddy.
He cites examples of water boats and beach resorts at Kakinada, APTDC restaurants at Puligundu and Puthuru in Chittoor district, a hotel at Mylavaram in Kadapa district, banquet halls and conference halls in Kurnool, the Corporation vehicles at Visakhapatnam and a bar and restaurant at Gudivakalanka in Eluru among other properties.
“Boating activity in Nagarjunsagar alone used to fetch a monthly revenue of Rs. 20-25 lakh which has now come down to Rs. 5-6 lakh. These properties are deliberately left in a state of neglect to make a case for their privatisation,” alleges Mr. Veera Reddy.
Our aim is to identify loss-making units and initiate steps to revitalise them. But the corporation can’t afford to operate perennially- loss-making projects. Privatisation is the only solution for them
Bala Subramanyam Reddy
Executive Director (Operations), APTDC
