Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 2: The hoteliers of Kashmir have strongly opposed the petition filed by Power Development Department with the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) seeking increase in power tariff.
In a joint statement, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF) and Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Association (KHARA) said they have presented the case of hospitality sector before the SERC advising it against hiking the power tariff.
The statement said the hospitality sector is already charged highest commercial rate despite having been declared as an industry in the year 1995.
It further said the demand charges paid by hotel industry should be adjusted in the total consumption instead of adding it.
Stating that hospitality industry is the mainstay of economy, President KHAROF Faiz Bakshi said this sector needs to be made sustainable and not burdened.
He said tourism does not only help hospitality sector but also to the people connected with other sectors of economy like handicrafts dealers, transporters, horticulture, eateries, shikarawalas, ponywallas, retail and whole-sellers, daily wagers in cities, towns and remote areas.
Both KHAROF and KHARA also stressed upon the need for providing uninterrupted power supply to hospitality sector and tourist areas through dedicated service lines for growth of tourism.
“There should be some dedicated service lines in the tourist areas. We should be able to provide best facility to the tourists which will only happen when the government provides uninterrupted power supply to tourism sector. Tourists should leave the Valley with good memories. Power outage brings disrepute to this sector,” said Chowdhary.
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