Mysuru: All hotels, restaurants and lodges in Mysuru will remain open on May 30 despite the dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the Hotels Associations of South India in protest against levy of GST ranging from 12 percent to 28 percent.

The call for the bandh was given by the Tamil Nadu Hotels and Restaurants Association and the South India Hotels and Restaurant Association (SIHRA) has expressed its support for the bandh.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association President C. Narayanagowda said that though they have extended their moral support to the bandh call, they would not close their establishments.

“The Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association is holding a health camp on May 30 for the welfare of hotel workers and we have already called Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep to the event. We will submit our representations to the DC regarding the bad effects of GST and are also scheduled to meet representatives from the Central government and we will convey our concerns,” he said.

The bandh will not have its impact in Mysuru but likely to affect hotels, lodges and restaurants in Bengaluru, he added.

In its press statement, the SIHRA has said that since 2009, the hospitality and hotel industry has been reeling under economic and other conditions. The recent Supreme Court order to close down hotels and bars within 500 metres of the National and State Highways has crippled the business of hotels, which were located on arterial roads.

While the industry was trying to come to terms on this issue, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley dropped the bomb shell announcing levying of GST from 12 to 28 percent on restaurants and hotels. SIHRA also urged all its members to participate in the bandh.

”Already Hotel Associations of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Pondicherry have extended their support for the bandh,” it added.

“Despite numerous representations, memorandums to the authorities, the Union Government has proposed a levy ranging from five to 18 percent on different categories of restaurants and a steep levy of 28 percent GST on hotels with room tariff above Rs. 5,000,” it added.