Mysuru: A day-long Trade Licence Renewal mela organised by the Mysuru Hotel Owners Association and Hotel Owners Association Charitable Trust began at the Association office in Krishnamurthypuram here this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, MCC Commissioner G.Jagadeesha said that the Association had organised the mela last year too successfully.

Referring to the Association’s plea against online renewal, Jagadeesha said the Association has citied certain complexities in online renewal in support of its plea.

But online renewal is better than manual renewal, as the former is more transparent.

Pointing out that Hotel Owners have to compulsorily produce rent or lease agreement if the Hotel is functioning from a rented premises, the Commissioner said that another important thing is that mere remittance of fee will not guarantee licence renewal, unless property tax and other cess are paid.

Stating that the MCC will act against Hotels functioning from cellar of buildings, Jagadeesha asserted that such hotels will not be issued trade licences and will be asked to shut down.

Replying to an appeal by the Association President C. Narayanagowda seeking a uniform licence fee throughout the city, the MCC Commissioner said that the Government has stipulated the licence fee separately for all the 9 MCC zones, based on commercial value.

Maintaining that the Trade Licence fee was nominal in Mysuru when compared to other city corporations, he said that the MCC would soon send a proposal to the Government seeking an upward revision.

Stating that the MCC has set a revenue target of Rs. 120 crore through taxes, he said that the MCC will soon come up with a list of taxes and cess under different heads which would make remittance of taxes more simpler.

Continuing, he said that the MCC has launched a survey to identify unlicensed and unauthorized traders and the survey would be completed in a month following which the MCC will take action against defaulters.

He further said that the MCC was willing to get involved if other trade association came forward to organise such melas and added that the Government has appointed more health inspectors to ensure much better health and hygiene in the city.

Earlier, Mysuru Hotel Owners Association President C.Narayanagowda said that last year’s mela saw renewal of 373 trade licenses, bringing a revenue of Rs. 22 lakh to the MCC.

He also appealed the MCC to introduce a uniform fee structure throughout the city.

All the 9 MCC zonal offices have set up counters at the venue to enable hoteliers to get their trade licence renewed.

Mayor B. Bhagyavathi, Corporator K.T. Cheluvegowda, MCC Health officer Dr. Ramachandra, Trust President Ravi Shastry, office-bearers Ravindra Bhat, Subramanya T. Tantri and others were present.