Hoteliers oppose Dasara Food Mela at three locations

Mysuru: Hoteliers of city have opposed the proposal of District Administration to organise Dasara Food Mela at three locations in city.

A meeting of all stakeholders which included hoteliers, bakery owners and caterers was held this morning at DC’s office here which was chaired by Dr.K. Rameshwarappa, Deputy Director, Department of Food and Civil Supplies who is also the Working President of Dasara Food Mela Sub-Committee.

Participating in the meeting M. Rajendra, President of Karnataka Pradesh Hotel Owners Association opined that Food Mela was just a part of Dasara which should not be extended to two more locations.

He contended that the hoteliers had already suffered losses during bandhs and other reasons and hence suggested that they should be allowed to make up the losses during Dasara.

Adding to that, City Hotel Owners Association President C. Narayana Gowda opined that hotels get licences from 27 departments to start business which should not be curtailed by opening Food Melas at three locations. He instead suggested the organisers to hold the mela in a better way at Scouts and Guides Grounds as done earlier.

Supporting the claim, entrepreneur and FKCCI Vice-President Sudhakar S. Shetty said that Food Mela at three locations would encourage too many stalls and thus deprive hotels of a good business especially during Dasara.

Replying to the complaints Rameshwarappa said that organising Food Mela at three locations was only a proposal which would be reviewed for pros and cons.

He pointed out that organising the mela at only one location was resulting in parking woes and traffic snarls and hence was thought to distribute the rush to two more locations. He said that he would discuss the matter with the District Minister and DC before finalising on the proposal.

Sub-Committee Secretary H.K. Ramu, about 50 hoteliers and other stake holders attended the meeting.

Tribal delicacies at Dasara Food Mela, meeting at DC office tomorrow: The popular Dasara Food Mela will be held this time at three locations namely scouts and guides ground, MUDA land adjacent to Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel and MUDA land adjacent to KSRTC depot in Sathagalli here. A separate enclosure will be opened at the Food Mela to serve traditional, rural and tribal delicacies.

A meeting in that context has been arranged tomorrow at 11am at Deputy Commissioner’s office here. Tribals of all districts can attend the meeting. For details contact Dr. K. Rameshwarappa on Ph: 0821-2422107 or Mob: 96111-65967.