CHANDIGARH: Fearing more losses, retrenchment of employees and closure of outlets, the
hospitality industry has sought support from the
UT administration and urged it to allow them to operate in night hours as well.
“At a time when the hospitality industry is still reeling under the pressure of recovery from the losses due to the first lockdown in 2020, second wave and restrictions imposed by the administration have come as another blow to our industry,” said Ankit Gupta, president, Chandigarh Hospitality Association.
“The industry has already suffered a lot. We are ready to follow
Covid protocols and the administration should give us some relaxations. It should also find some way to give financial assistance in form of waiver of taxes, licensing fee, power and water charges. The industry need handholding support from the administration,” he added.
Anuj, who works in a city based restaurant, said the industry provides employment to many people and is connected with many other businesses like musical events and florists. They also have families to look after during this pandemic and the administration should consider their genuine demands, he added.
Recently, the administration had turned down the demand of the industry for extension of deadline of paying annual licence fee for 2021-22 financial year by at least a month. The administration had fixed March 31 as the deadline.
Meanwhile, the administration issued fresh instructions to police department and sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to check violations by
hotels, restaurants and clubs in their jurisdic.