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Hoteliers begin 2-day strike, suspend it

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 10/29/2013 12:54:30 AM

SRINAGAR, Oct 28: Hoteliers association of Kashmir this evening suspended the 2 days strike call after the assurances from the government about the installation of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs).
Talking to KNS, Showkat Choudary President Hoteliers Association said that they have decided to suspend Tuesday’s strike call after the assurances from the government that the STPs will be installed at the hotels in the valley by the government itself and that till November 20; the authorities would resolve the issue. “Till the next hearing of the case that is scheduled to be held on November 20, the government has assured that STPs will be installed.” Choudary further stated that the government in 2011 had assured the hoteliers that it would install the Sewerage treatment plants STP itself.
Choudary added that two days strike call (Monday and Tuesday) was issued by the association against the silence of the government over the issue. “After today’s strike call, the government has assured us that it will resolve the issue at the earliest.” He further stated that Nasir Aslam Wani, Provincial President of National Conference assured us on behalf of the chief Minister Omar Abdullah that problem will be resolved till November 20. “The tourism Minster also assured us the same.”
Earlier today the hoteliers in Kashmir began a two-day strike to protest against a Jammu and Kashmir High Court directive for installation of individual sewage treatment plants on their premises.
The strike was called by the coordination committee of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association, two premier trade organisations of the Valley.
Most of the hotels and restaurants in Srinagar city and at the famous tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam have decided to remain shut for two days.
All bookings in the hotels have been cancelled and the guests have been asked to vacate the rooms, chairman of the coordination committee Faiz Bakshi said here, adding that even the restaurants will not serve any guests for two days.
The high court has made the installation of STPs mandatory for the hotels with more than 19 rooms and has also directed the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to seal the hotels which do not have individual STPs installed on their premises.
Acting upon the court directions, the SPCB has sealed many hotels in the Valley.
"On September 27, SPCB sealed 20 hotels in Gulmarg without any notice. Then they sealed 90 hotels in Pahalgam and have also sent notices to 128 hotels and restaurants in Srinagar," Bakshi said.
The industry leaders have maintained that they are not against checking pollution at tourist places in the Valley, but installing individual STPs is not possible for them.
Bakshi said that the government is obliged to install common STPs under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission scheme to safeguard the environment.
The hoteliers also held a protest at Press Enclave here.
Meanwhile, Tourism Department officials said if need arises, the tourists can be accommodated in tourist huts and houseboats.