FHRAI seeks meeting with the PM, disappointed with Budget

After being completely ignored in the latest Union Budget 2021, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has written to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing disappointment and has sought his meeting. The apex hospitality association has conveyed dismay and disappointment on the gross neglect shown to the hospitality sector in the Budget. The FHRAI has stated its disbelief on the 19 per cent retrenchment in the budget allocation for the Ministry of Tourism at a time when the sector is facing the worst crisis for tourism. In the absence of a sector-specific stimulus package, at least 30 to 40 per cent restaurants and 20 to 30 per cent hotels in the country are facing imminent shut down of business, resulting into millions of job losses.

“We are really disheartened to see that tourism and hospitality – the biggest casualty of the COVID19 pandemic have been continuously ignored by the Government ever since the pandemic hit the country. It did not even find a mention in the Budget presented by the Finance Minister. The FHRAI has been vociferously advocating for some real relief measures to help the sector come out of the biggest crisis. Despite our numerous representations over the last ten months and multiple meetings with the highest echelons in the Government, the Hospitality sector has been blatantly ignored. The Prime Minister has always been a strong proponent of India’s tourism potential. We are hoping that he will understand and offer a remedy for the industry’s concerns for which we have sought a meeting with him,” says Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI.