Mysuru: The Hotel Owners Association along with the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), held a day long trade license renewal mela here on Tuesday, March 26. A record amount of Rs 20,81,600 was collected with the renewal of 239 licenses in the Association premise at Krishnamurthypuram.

The mela was conducted for the hoteliers with an intention to ease the process of renewal. Earlier, hoteliers, bakery and sweet stall owners used to go to the city corporation to get their license renewed. But with various formalities, the process was very long and not people friendly. However, the mela enables the hoteliers to get their trade license renewed under one roof instead of going to different departments.

Speaking to Newskarnataka, Narayanagowda, President, Hotel Owners Association said, “The mela is helping the hoteliers to get their license renewed very easily. The highest trade license renewal was from Zone No 6, as 92 licenses were renewed with a total collection of Rs 7,24,856. However, there was a poor response from Zone No 8, with just one license renewed.”

The minimum renewal fee was Rs 600 and it increased on the size of the hotel or firm was.

The event was inaugurated by City Corporation Commissioner Shilpa Nag, who thanked the hotel owners for taking part in keeping the city clean and also for providing good food and accommodation to the tourists. Dr. Nagaraj, Health Officer, MCC, was also present.

It was brought to the notice of Shilpa Nag, that though money was collected for the renewal of the trade licenses last year, many of the hotel owners have not yet been issued with the renewed licenses. Responding to this, the MCC Commissioner said that she was not aware of this and would ensure such things does not happen in the future. She also urged the MCC officials not to delay the renewal or issue of trade licenses.