Hoteliers meet MP Chaudhary, demand easing of Covid norms

Jalandhar, May 13

Seeking relief in restrictions imposed due to Covid-19 pandemic, hoteliers and restaurants owners of the city led by chief patron of the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Punjab Paramjit Singh met Member of Parliament Santokh Singh Chaudhary at his residence here today.

Submitting a memorandum to the Lok Sabha MP, Paramjit Singh said the hotel and restaurant industry has been hit hard by the second wave of the pandemic and the government’s restrictions were making the survival of the sector difficult.

“No social event like wedding, ring ceremony or shagun is possible with the restriction of 10 persons. Banqueting revenue is the main source of income on which the hotels survive. The practical way is to link the number of persons allowed to the capacity of the banquet hall,” Paramjit Singh said.

The members of the delegation further stated that the hotel and restaurant sector employs thousands of persons directly and indirectly. “Other than people directly employed at the hotels, the industry provides work to casual waiters, decorators, drivers for vallet parking, DJ players, etc. Therefore, the restrictions adversely affect those workers too,” they added.

They also emphasised that the industry pays a significant amount of taxes to the government. MP Chaudhary assured the delegation that he would take up the hotel and restaurant sector’s grievances with the government and seek relief. Mohinder Paul Shoor of Majestic Grand Hotel, SP Arora of Ambassador Hotel and Som Dutt Kalia of Best Western Hotel were present on the occasion. — TNS