EArly Times Report
Jammu, Aug 30: Likewise rest of the country hit by novel Coronavirus, the holy Katra town - the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan - has also suffered losses worth over Rs 4000 crore in five month of lockdown imposed in view of pandemic, claimed the business community.
Every year nearly 85 to 90 lakh pilgrims from all over the country visit Katra to perform pilgrimage.
President, Hotels and Restaurants Association, Katra, Rakesh Wazir told , "Before lockdown, the daily business in Katra town was Rs 12-15 crore, which means Rs 400 to 450 crore on monthly basis, which includes all types small and large business establishments."
"There is a perception that Yatra has resumed and the life returns to normal with economy started reviving, but the cap on pilgrims due to Covid-19, will not address our concern," said Mr Wazir.
"Before lockdown, 40,000 to 50,000 pilgrims were visiting to Katra daily but, presently due to cap on Yatra, the figure is 200 to 250. Hotels, lodges, restaurants, shops barring those dealing in essential commodities and some dhabas, others are still shut," said Mr Wazir adding that hotel and tourism industry, is the worst hit due to Corona pandemic.
"Local pilgrims do not stay in hotels and only limited take meals/food in dhabas/restaurants. Economy will get boost only when pilgrims from other parts of the country will start visiting in large numbers," said a hotelier.
He further said that the monthly expenditure remained same as no interests are waived off, no discounts in electricity bills are given, adding, "we appeal to LG, Advisor for special package to this industry to sustain."
Katra Dhaba Union president, Romesh Dogra told UNI, "We have suffered huge losses in this period and nobody from the Administration bothered to inquire about us."
From Domail to Katra, there are 400 Dhabas (food points) with nearly 150 seasonal, he said adding, "for five month period, Kashmir Chamber has estimated losses worth Rs 40,000 crore inspite of the fact the tourist footfall was not that high if compared to pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. one can imagine the losses Katra traders have suffered."
"Yatra resumed on August 16 but, it will not revive our economy as only limited number of pilgrims are allowed to perform pilgrimage per day including the locals," said Mr Dogra.
Local visitors do not purchase dry fruit, handicrafts, Kashmiri garments, and not even stay in hotels, lodges, adding, "alone Dhaba business have suffered losses worth Rs 70-80 crores."
"We are paying the GST, Income Tax and other taxes despite having no daily source of income in view of Covid-19 pandemic effect and the government has not waived off any interests or electricity bills to relieve business community," he added. |
