Will Government notification on shops opening 24×7 apply to hotels?

Mysuru:  Close on the heels of the State Government issuing a notification allowing shops and commercial business establishments with 10 plus employees to open 24×7, the hoteliers of Mysuru want to know whether this was applicable for them.

C. Narayanagowda, President of Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association, want the State Government to issue direction to the Police authorities regarding allowing the hotels to open till 12 am for the benefit of tourists visiting Mysuru.

Presently, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food joints are asked to wind up business at 10 am whereas bars and restaurants are allowed till 12.20 am as against the deadline of 11.30 pm. Mysuru has been one of the most important tourist places in the country with lakhs of people visiting the city every year. Those who land in city after 10 pm do not find a good hotel in Central Business District. They would be left with no option except sleeping on empty stomach or relish street food.

He said the hotels were allowed to open till 12 am when Sunil Agarwal was the Police Commissioner. But the subsequent Commissioners did not stick to it without giving reasons. Now, the situation is so bad that the hotels are closed forcibly at 9.30 pm. So, the Mysuru Hotel iers Association has decided to seek clarification from the Government on the applicability of its notification on shops opening 24×7, to hospitality industry.

When Star of Mysore contacted, Dr. Chandragupta, City Police Commissioner, said he has not officially received the notification on opening of shops and business establishments with 10-plus employees round-the-clock. His Department would take a decision only after going through the notification.

In regard to hoteliers seeking time till 12 am to open eateries, the Top Cop said: “I have not received any requisition from Hoteliers Association in this regard. Let them give it to me and I will decide on it in consultation with my colleagues. Different parameters have to be studied before giving permission.”