‘Readied hotels, but not included in Vande Bharat list’

Some members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), alleged that after setting up quarantine facilities at their hotels for passengers

Some members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), alleged that after setting up quarantine facilities at their hotels for passengers returning from abroad under the Vande Bharat scheme, the authorities are now not giving them any business, causing huge losses.

HT Image

Majority of the 88 hotels in the city, which were to be used as quarantine facilities are now vacant. The hoteliers alleged that their establishments have been excluded from the list of hotels being circulated to the passengers so that a few favoured can grab the business.

“We have received complaints from our members that the passengers were given a list of hardly 12 hotels to choose from. This is an injustice to others and is hurting their business,” said Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, president, HRAWI.

He added that HRAWI had submitted a list of 40 member hotels to the authorities who wanted to aid them in this work.

BJP leader Krishna Hegde, who is fighting for the hoteliers, said such moves will only wreck the bleeding hotel business. “The hotels were already running in losses and on top of that, the civic body told them to start this facility. They spent lakhs and equipped their staff to deal with this situation. However, they are now not getting any business,” rued Hegde.

Guardian minister Aslam Shaikh said the state government will take action against this. “I have received no complaint till date but if anyone approaches, will ask officials to investigate and take action,” he said.