Kasauli MLA Flags low rest House rentals amid opposition uproar over DA arrears: Monsoon session of Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, Aug 21,
Even as the Opposition staged noisy protests in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday over pending arrears of Dearness Allowance (DA) for employees, ruling party MLA from Kasauli, Vinod Sultanpuri, raised a separate concern about the “heavily subsidized” tariffs of government rest houses in tourist destinations.
Sultanpuri pointed out that rest houses across Himachal, many located at premium spots and equipped with homely amenities, are being rented out to the public at rates as low as ₹500 a night. “In Kasauli, even small homestays charge ₹2,500 per night. Tourists from Haryana and Punjab prefer staying in government rest houses because of their facilities and low tariffs, while private hotels and homestays are finding it hard to compete,” he said.
Citing the example of a historic rest house in his constituency situated along the National Highway, Sultanpuri stressed that despite its location and heritage value, its rent has not been revised in years. He added that except for one or two, most government rest houses are now open for online booking, further intensifying competition with the private sector.
The MLA urged the government to review the tariff structure to bring rates closer to the market or alternatively restrict their use primarily for officials and emergencies.
The reply was based on a question by the MLA that whether the Government is aware that in several tourist destinations of the State, Government rest houses are being offered for online booking to the general public at highly subsidized rates (as low as Rs 500 or below); whether it is a fact that such pricing severely undercuts the private hospitality sector, including hotels and homestays, where even the most basic accommodation starts at Rs 2,500 and above, consequently affecting their sustainability and business prospects; whether the Government is considering limiting the use of such rest houses to government officials or emergencies only, or alternatively, aligning their booking rates with the prevailing minimum accommodation rates in the respective areas to ensure fair market competition; and if so, what action has been taken or is proposed in this regard.
Replying to the concern, the government assured that the suggestion would be examined. The debate, however, unfolded against the backdrop of Opposition sloganeering, as BJP MLAs continued pressing the treasury benches over non-payment of DA arrears to employees.
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