Ahead of year 2022, Div Com Kashmir mulls to notify new rates for Hotels, Houseboats, Taxis, Shikara

Srinagar, Dec 13 : Ahead of new year-2022, the Divisional Commissioner, P.K Pole Monday directed to explore ways to notify rates for upcoming 3-5 years with five percent annual enhancement.

The directives were that the rates proposed and implemented for Hotels, Restaurants, Houseboats, Taxis, Shikaras, and ponies shall be notified for the calendar year 2022.

Pole informed that possibility shall be explored to notify the rates for 3-5 years with five percent annual enhancement so that the rates are regulated in letter and spirit.

The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, further directed the concerned officers for the immediate finalisation of the rates and its implementations.

According to the minutes of meeting of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Pole further informed that complaints of non-regulations of rates in respect of Hotels, Restaurants, Houseboats, Taxis, Shikaras, ponies are being regularly received which is giving bad name to the trade in the Valley.

The Divisional Commissioner directed Director Tourism and all Deputy Commissioners that rates proposed for Hotels, Restaurants, Houseboats, Taxis, Shikaras, ponies shall be put to public domain through the website of the Tourism Department.

Besides, rates shall be available through print, electronic and social media. The valuable comments and suggestions proposed by the public shall be given due consideration.

Pole in a meeting also stressed that rates with regard to Hotels shall be proposed and fixed as category and season wise.

“Rates notified shall also be strictly implementable for those hotels having a chain of hotels through the country,” Pole directed.

He also directed that for overcharging to be brought down, a rate list shall be erected near the taxi stands, bus stations, police stations, Tourist Reception Centres (TRSs), tourist destination entry and exit points.

The Director Tourism said that the proposal for the rates other than hotels have been framed, finalized and submitted to the Government for its approval—(KNO)