Lucknow: Hotel and restaurant owners in the state capital have raised strong objections to a steep increase in licence fees imposed by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, urging Defence minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh to intervene.A delegation of the Lucknow Hotel, Guest House and Restaurant Owners Association submitted a memorandum demanding immediate withdrawal of the revised fee structure to Singh on Sunday.The association, led by Surendra Sharma, called the civic body move to a five-fold increase in licence fees for hotels, restaurants and eateries “arbitrary and unjustified”.The traders further highlighted that the hospitality sector is already facing severe challenges due to disruption in commercial gas supply amid the ongoing Gulf crisis, leading to operational difficulties and partial closures of many establishments.Singh assured the delegation that the matter would be addressed. He reportedly forwarded the memorandum to Mayor Sushma Kharkwal and emphasised the need to provide relief to the hospitality sector.Singh assured the delegation that the matter would be addressed. He reportedly forwarded the memorandum to mayor Sushma Kharkwal and emphasized the need to provide relief to the hospitality sector.
