Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 9: Many hoteliers from the city said that on the reopening day of hotels on June 8, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike officials imposed heavy fines for even things like dry leaves from trees falling on footpath, people moving near the hotel, even a single person standing at the door by overlooking social distance rule etc. Some hotels said they had to pay fines which normally were Rs 1,000 per occasion, in excess of the day's business collection.

Hotel owners feel that even though they have followed guidelines of the state government, BBMP officials, in the name of checking, have been unreasonably penalising them. Some hotel owners say that they are helpless if the leaves from the tree fall on the footpath, which the officials treat as trash and penalise them. People standing outside waiting for their turn are also blamed for social distance violation and hotels are fined, they complain.

The officials have warned hotels that a second offence will attract a fine of Rs 10,000. It is said that the officials have warned the hotel owners that if the dry leaves of the trees fall on the footpath on the third time too, the hotel licence would be cancelled. They pointed out that they have no control over the leaves falling from the trees. They also complain that they have no control over the crowd on the road opposite the hotel and that they are unfairly fined for that. Some hotel owners pointed out that in programmes involving ministers, BBMP members etc no norms are followed but no fines are levied on them.