A delegation of Hotel & Restaurant Association,Katra (HRAK) led by its President Rakesh Wazir and accompanied by HRAK Chairman Shyam lal Kesar,Former President Shiv Kumar Sharma,Sr.Vice President Virender Kesar,Vice President Ajay Kotwal etc.met Principal Secretary Power Rohit Kansal and besides thanking him for getting sanctioned Rs.18 crore through Central Road Fund when he was principal Secretary Public Works department (PWR&B) and Parvez Dewan was Advisor concerned,for Old Traditional Route Of Vaishnodevi ji which is almost complete and would be started shortly,and by which besides revival of that old Vaishnodevi ji route even distance between Katra to Akhnoor,Poonch,Rajouri belt will reduce by 42 Kms,apprised him various points related to Katra,Tourism and Hotel Industry in particular.
Mr.Wazir while speaking on the occasion said that Hotels Industry has been declared as Industry and is even covered under Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises( MSME) and keeping that aspect in mind it was passed in the budget that Hotels will get Power at par with Industrial rates and hoteliers availed that benefit even for one year and was operational till 31st March 2019,but thereafter the Hotels are again been charged at commercial rates which are higher and requested that matter be taken up with the concerned including Electricity Regularity Authority and government and this pending issue be resolved and hotel may get power at Industrial rates again.
Mr.Kesar while speaking requested that Katra is world famous town and caters 10 million (1 crore) pilgrims very year and is spread in not more than 1 to 2 KM radious and its planning should be done with under ground wiring with beautiful docorational poles and lights as has been done in Darbar Sahib recently so that pilgrims coming overhere may take home a good feeling and message.
Mr.Shiv Kumar Sharma & Virender Kesar while speaking on the occasion requested for further increase in the Amnesty Scheme by few months and said that this scheme is really good but people are finding difficulty in giving that amount even after deduction of interests and penalities because all the works are stopped due to Covid and people have lesat money to pay.
Mr.Kansal listened the delegation patiently assured that sympathetic consideration to each and every point would be given.