Mysuru: The Zoo Authority of Karnataka, instead of giving the contract to an individual should give it to two to three hotels and they should fix a rate so that there will be less scope for inflated charges on food items, said Narayanagowda, President, Hotel Owners Association, Mysuru.
After going through the exorbitant charges on food items at the restaurant in Mysuru zoo, Narayanagowda called upon the zoo authorities to give contract to few more hotels so that there will be stiff competition. “With just one hotel in Mysuru Zoo and a monthly rent of nearly Rs 8 Lakh, the contractor has no option but charge more and naturally the public who come here need to pay more. If the monthly rent is less, the contractor can also provide the food items at lesser rates. The zoo authorities, instead of having one hotel, should give it two or three and minimise the monthly rent to one or two lakh rupees. If this is done, people will definitely be relieved and can think of having something in the hotel. The present contractor, as per agreement, pays a monthly rent of Rs 8 Lakh”, he informed.
On July 2, Siddaramappa, Executive Director, Mysuru Zoo visited the restaurant and even summoned the managers and requested them to reduce the prices. “I have spoken to the managers to reduce the rates. With regard to expansion or increasing the number of hotels, we can’t take a decision on our own. It needs to be brought up in the Governing Council meeting. I will take it up in the council meeting and do my best”, added Siddaramappa.
When this was brought to the notice of Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G Shankar, he said, “I too came across the rate issue in newspapers. I will speak to the authorities concerned and know what exactly is the issue.”
