Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Chairman of All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA) Inderjeet Khajuria expressed his deep concern over the plight of Jammu people connected with tourism sector because of COVID-19 pandemic and imposition of lockdown and sought exemption from the Government charges/fee including electricity, water, usage charges etc till J&K UT becomes COVID free.
It was stated during a meeting of the officer bearers which was held today through virtually. “Tourism sector has been pushed to innumerable hardships rather than any relief from Government side and the stake holders are passing through the worst phase of life because of zero business,” Khajuria said.
Pawan Gupta, president of the Association expressed disappointment on ignoring the tourism sector particular hotel industry from the purview of any special relief/financial package even after repeated requests to the Government. “The condition of the smokeless industries which is already on the ventilator due to extension of train service from Jammu to Katra has worsened further due to engulfing impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown,” he added.
“The onslaught of dangerous second wave of Corona virus has done unexplainable loss to human beings and hotel industry and at this critical juncture, dying hotel industry needs hand holding by the Government for their survival, ” Gupta said.
Gupta further added that Government should now transfer the financial assistance amount directly to the accounts of hotel staff whose accounts detail already stands submitted in the tourism department since last year.
M L Sharma, Pritam Sharma, Anil Khajuria, HS Manhas, Baldev Raj, Sunil Suri, Swarn Singh, Sankul Gupta, Manpreet Singh, Varun Gupta and Nishant Gupta were among the office bearers who were present during the meeting.
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