Hospitality industry demands concession in power rates

Ludhiana: Marred by huge hike in different types of charges and inputs, the hospitality industry is demanding a concession in the power rates charged from them, which are allegedly the highest in any category.The businessmen organised a meeting to discuss their next course of action and launched a plantation drive, under which they plan to plant approximately 10,000 saplings in the city.Ludhiana Tent Dealer Association (LTDA) president S S Makkar said, “The hospitality industry is facing a tough time as the rates of electricity, cooking gas, fuel and labour are rising consistently. Rates of power are the highest for the hospitality industry in Ludhiana as hotels, banquet halls, restaurants are allowed only commercial category of power connection, the rate of which is Rs 12 per unit and above.”“We urge the state government to consider reducing the power rates for the hospitality units,” he added.Shiv Shankar Rai, owner of a hotel in Model Town, said, “A meeting of different associations representing the hospitality industry was held on Friday. We took the decision to approach CM Bhagwant Mann and urge him to order Punjab State Power Corporation Limited to allow the hospitality industry to opt for small power (SP) category of connections under which power rates are in the range of Rs 6-7 per unit. This will help the industry save more than 50% on power bills.”Rai added, “In wake of the ongoing monsoon season and as our social responsibility we have launched a plantation drive under which we are going to plant 10,000 saplings in the city.”“Representatives of hotel associations, All India Tent Decorators Association and LTDA planted saplings in different areas of the city on Friday,” he said.