Tourism Federation seeks electricity tariff waiver for hotels, financial assistance for staff

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 20: Chairman, Tourism Federation of Jammu, Rajesh Gupta today urged the Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu to waive off electricity and water tariffs of all hotels, lodges, guest houses and travel agencies registered with the Department of Tourism and also sought financial assistance for lower staff employed in tourism trade as waiters, commission agents, ticketing agents, services providers, cooks and drivers.
Rajesh Gupta said that the lockdown in wake of coronavirus crisis has badly hit tour and travel industry and there are also no chances of its revival in years to come. The lower staff must be compensated for at least one year and similarly, electricity and water charges should be waived off for the same period till tourism sector gets back on rail.
Rajesh Gupta, in a communication sent to Lieutenant Governor said, Tourism Industry has remained the backbone of J&K’s economy and is a major job creator in J&K. It is the only industry in J&K which employs more than 95% locals and is spread in all areas of Union Territory. With lockdown enforced due to spread of Coronavirus Pandemic, tourism industry has emerged as the worst sufferer along with all its allied arms and needs a revival package.
He informed that other trades and manufacturing units might start running with reduced capacity but there seems no scope for revival of tourism industry, even partly, in view of the nature of the COVID-19. Tourism Industry in J&K, including hotels, lodges, guest houses, dhabas, restaurants, house boats and even taxis in budget categories, is being run by families with very small capitals and without the assistance of financial institutions.
Most of these units have neither availed bank loans nor given any incentives by State/U.T. Government ever. These self-financed tourism units have employed locals, most of them on contracts/commission basis, and are thus not registered for any beneficiary schemes of Government. These units need revival package failing which they will collapse.
Rajesh Gupta added that besides these units, there are a good number of Travel and Excursion Agents, Auto Rickshaw and Taxi owners/ Drivers, Shikara owners, Guides, Handicraft manufacturers and suppliers who have gone jobless in J&K and require immediate assistance. Tourism Federation of Jammu also sought ex-gratia monthly financial relief to every tourism unit.
Rajesh Gupta further said that once COVID-19 pandemic comes under control, a plan for revival of tourism industry should be put in place so that industry comes to its original glory at the earliest.
He said that, like other businesses and manufacturing units, tourism is not dependent upon local population but is solely dependent upon travellers. Since interstate and international travelling is going to remain suspended for some more time, a special package should be announced for those connected with Tourism sector in J&K.

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