Pawar urges Uddhav to provide concessions to COVID-hit hotel and tourism industry

State govt. should implement policy similar to Central government’s Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, says NCP chief

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar has written to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, seeking concessions for the hotel and tourism industry in Maharashtra, one of the worst-hit sectors amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Pawar wrote, “Hotels and permit bars with FL-III licence should be given permission to pay excise tax in four instalments. They should be given concession in power tariff, and property tax should be waived.” He also referred to the Central government’s Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, which has been extended till June 30. The NCP chief said, “Maharashtra government too should implement a similar scheme that will promote employment and rejuvenate the hospitality industry.”