ITDC properties register profits

New Delhi, June 4 (UNI) Public Sector Undertakings under Union Ministry of Tourism have recorded profits during 2006-07 with some of them registering a huge increase over the previous year.

Hotel Ranchi Ashok's profits before tax increased from Rs. 2.17 lakh in 2005-06 to Rs. 34.13 lakh in 2006-07, marking an increase of 1472 per cent.

Hotel Pondicherry Ashok's profits before tax increased by 279 per cent from Rs. 25.23 lakh in 2005-06 to Rs. 95.67 lakh in 2006-07.

The loss of Rs. 17.90 lakh of Hotel lake View Ashok in Bhopal in 2005-06 has turned into a profit (before tax) of Rs. 23.87 lakh in 2006-07, an increase of 233 per cent.

Earlier, the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) had declared a dividend of 20 per cent on paid up capital amounting to Rs 13.50 crore for the year 2006-07. This was the first dividend declared since 1998-99.

According to the Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni, ITDC has launched a major renovation and upgradation drive for all its hotel properties throughout the country.

Work on the renovation of 40 rooms at the Brahmaputra Ashok, Guwahati, has been completed. Work on a Wellness-cum-Convention Centre is to be completed in 2009.

The front wing of Hotel Janpath, New Delhi has been fully renovated and the back wing and lobby are to be renovated this year.

As many as 59 Rooms of Hotel Ashok, New Delhi have been upgraded and another 182 rooms, the Convention Centre, the Lobby and some public areas are to be renovated and upgraded by 2010 at a cost of Rs.146 crore half of which is in the form of grant from the Ministry of Tourism and the remaining Rs.73 crore from the ITDC's own profits.

After the success of the Indo-African Summit held at Hotel Ashok earlier this year, in which 13 Presidents, Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents from African countries participated, the Ministry of External Affairs is likely to put up some of its visiting international guests at Hotel Jaipur Ashok, for which purpose 60 rooms are being upgraded.

Hotel Patliputra Ashok, Patna, is ITDC's best success story outside Delhi. One floor is being upgraded to 5-star standards and a Banquet Hall is being added. Similar improvements are being made at Hotel Kalinga Ashok, Bhubaneswar, where one floor is being upgraded.

ITDC's Joint Ventures are all making profits. Additional rooms are being added to Hotel Donyi Polo, Itanagar, and one floor of Hotel Ranchi Ashok is being upgraded.

At Hotel Pondicherry Ashok two convention rooms are almost ready and plans have been approved for 10 cottage rooms and a Wellness Centre which will include a swimming pool.

UNI SH PK AS1540