Hoteliers seek relief for dying industry

Shimla, June 15

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) has urged the government to provide waivers and concessions to save the dying hotel industry.

In a letter to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Renu Thapliyal, secretary general of HRANI, thanked the government for its unwavering support to the tourism sector amid the pandemic. “The impact of Covid on the industry has been disruptive as all hotels have lost business,” said Thapliyal.

She said the excise fee must be refunded or adjusted as bars did not operate for several months and it should be waived for six months. “Besides, there should be complete waiver on fixed power charges and property tax for a period,” she demanded.

Their other demands included enhancing the cap at all social gatherings to 25 from the present 20, waiver on water bills and sewerage charges and automatic extension/one-time special renewals of certificates for one year. They also sought a special relief from penal provisions for delays in dues and relief from regulatory compliances under state laws or Central laws.

She said with the second wave, it had become impossible for the sector to stay afloat. “The hospitality has become the most unviable and unsustainable business. Many hotels are heading for the closure in many parts of the country,” she said. — TNS