Mangaluru
The State Government had announced a 50 percent waiver on property tax to be paid by hotels, resorts, restaurants, and amusement parks for 2021–22. However, the same has been implemented in other districts but not in coastal districts, even after two years.
The hospitality stakeholders continue to run from pillar to post to avail the rebate. It was announced by then Tourism Minister CP Yogeshwar, and the official order was passed on November 24, 2021. This was done in an effort to rejuvenate the tourism industry, which had seen a slump owing to Covid-19.
Nishank Suvarna, General Secretary of the Hotel Association, told that all other districts, including Mysuru and hotels under the BBMP, have received rebates or waivers from property tax. We have met City Corporation Commissioner and other officials many times in order to halve the property tax, yet nothing has moved.
At one point in time, PC Rao, President of Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association had met Akshy Sridhar, the then City Corporation Commissioner, and he had agreed on the implementation in the city limits. Unfortunately, he was transferred after a few days, and the new officer never took it forward. Officers often tell us that they have received no such orders from the Government and they do not have funds for the waiver, said Suvarna.
He said that the district has 200 plus hotels and lodges, and they have protested against the non-implementation of the order. Some hotels did pay the entire tax, when Corporation officials started imposing penalties on them.
The hospitality stakeholders have approached me about the issue. I will speak to the City Corporation Commissioner to sort it out, said MP Mullai Muhilan, Deputy Commissioner.
