Mumbai: BMC to pay hotels housing frontline warriors 50 per cent more

A highlevel meeting of different hotel association members in Mumbai with senior BMC officials has resulted in the civic body agreeing to pay almost 50 per cent more for the stay of doctors and frontline warriors on duty at various hospitalsAfter questions raised by hotel associations a committee was formed by civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal headed by Deputy Municipal Commissioner Zone III Parag MasurkarGurbaxish Singh Kohli president of HRAWI Hotel and Restaurant Association Western India said We have been writing numerous letters to the civic commissioner as it was presumed initially that the requirement of rooms would be for a limited duration but instead of weeks it turned out to be months Around 65 of our staff who were migrants have left With no business during lockdown we agreed for BMC to take over the running of the hotels but they were reluctant due to manpower shortage and unavailability of expert staffAlso ReadNot responsible if kids fall in drains BMC puts up posters removes laterGurbaxish Singh Kohli president HRAWIThe BMCs initial requirement was around 2500 rooms Gradually the number rose to 3300 We provided the rooms in 88 to 90 hotels across the city including nonstar and star hotels BMC even filed cases and threatened action against some hotels who refused to cooperate added KohliShocking rate cardWhat came as a shock for hoteliers was the tariff including stay food and laundry service slated at R500 for nonstar and R1000R2000 for twostar to fivestar hotels per night In normal times the hotels would have charged R6000 to R15000 daily BMCs rates were rubbing salt on our wounds All hotel associations came together and echoed our concerns to the civic chief and the chief minister Kohli addedShivanand Shetty president AAHAR said Initially most of the hotels were reluctant to allow frontline COVID19 staff as it would have adversely impacted other patrons While some hotels volunteered others were compelled by ward officers to make arrangements on a noprofit noloss basisShivanand Shetty president AAHARShetty added BMC had a predecided rate card included twin sharing rooms food laundry and GST which was far below the regular tariff charges making hotels suffer further losses as they had to keep the kitchen running and other overhead costsRetrospective revisionDMC Parag Masurkar was kind enough to take up the matter to a higher level We have been informed that the new rates will be implemented retrospectively from June 18 Though none of the hotel bills has been cleared so far said ShettyKohli added We have requested the corporation to clear the bills We hoteliers are with the government during this crisis but they cannot ignore our pleas and make us run from pillar to postWhen asked about the submission of bills Kohli said We have not submitted the bills as the moment the bills are prepared the hotel will first have to pay GST of 12 to18 per cent and moreover the revised rate was expected hence bills were also not made Also BMC was to bear the GST but the latest circular is not giving clarity on that We have also requested BMC to pay at least some money in lump sum so that we can continue business and in a weeks time bills would be submitted They should be cleared within a week to 15 daysThe other sideDMC Masurkar said I headed the committee and have submitted the report on revised rates for hotels which has been approved My role was to negotiate the rates and nothing more Although Masurkar mentioned that the rates will be applicable retrospectively from June 18 the civic corporations July 10 circular does not say anything on the matterWith regard to payment of bills Masurkar said The hotels will have to deal directly with the concerned local ward offices or the hospitals for their bill paymentResponding to this Kohli told midday It is unfair to make us coordinate with hospitals and local ward offices The ward offices were responsible for reservation request and all doctors and frontline staff were being accommodated on such requests The BMC should appoint a designated officer for clearing all hotel bills and for coordinationCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news