Union Budget 2021: What hoteliers expect from Nirmala Sitharaman

Even as India emerges from the grip of the Covid-19 panemic, expectationsare high from the Union Budget 2021 which will be tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1.

Talking to Asianet Newsable, Bengaluru Hotel Association President PC Rao said the industry saw it worst phase during the pandemic with business slumping 46.1 per cent.

The hoteliers say that their business can be revived if the finance minister slashes GST on rentals, gas supply, equipment and customers food bill and reduces employer's contribution to the Employees Provident Fund.

Hotels and restaurants still witness less occupancy and orders with many customers choosing to stay home or leaving the city due to pandemic and shutting down of offices.

The association feels by a breather in the budget could help the industry stabilize in a few months time. This apart, the association is expecting the government to consider hotels as an 'Industry' and not as 'Shops and Establishments'