Shimla, July 12 -- Before deciding to outsource operations of 14 loss-making hotels, the state Cabinet did not consult the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), whose board of directors had pressed for viability/ feasibility study of loss making hotels, said HPTDC chairman RS Bali on Friday. Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Bali, who also chairs the state's Tourism Development Board, urged the government to reconsider, saying the corporation could turn the properties around with renovation and internal effort. The Cabinet approved the outsourcing plan on June 28 and directives were issued on July 9. Bali requested time for feasibility studies before outsourcing decisions are finalised. He emphasised that HPTDC runs without state grants and still increased its turnover from Rs.78 crore to Rs.109 crore in 2.5 years. He said with renovation support, turnover could exceed Rs.200 crore. Bali added that HPTDC's hotels, built since 1972, are pride assets. "We don't just serve food, we spread joy," he said. On the relocation of HPTDC's head office to Kangra, he said the board approved it before it went to the Cabinet. He refused to comment on a recent report that the chief secretary did not pay for a private party hosted at an HPTDC hotel....