Title: Need to withdraw the reported move to disinvest Hotel Ashok, Bangalore.
(KOLAR): Sir, the reported move by the Centre to lay off the non-viable units of ITDC is ill conceived. To be specific, I am much disturbed over the inclusion of Hotel Ashok, Bangalore in this list of disinvestments. No doubt the recent incidents of global terrorism predict a declining trend in tourist traffic affecting the viability of hotel industry. But Bangalore has enough potential to sustain hotel establishments. Located in a prime commercial area with all infrastructure and regular clients, Hotel Ashok, Bangalore needs better management and marketing, and disinvestment is no answer. More than jeopardising the livelihood of the workmen and their families, this questionable attempt by the Centre will expose the incompetence on the part of the ITDC to run a hotel like many others do successfully in private sector. It is reported that bids have been received from private hoteliers for Hotel Ashok, Bangalore, and this itself indicates the intentions of the bidders to revive the Hotel and make it commercially viable.
I would, therefore, urge upon the Centre to abandon this ill-conceived move to disinvest its stock in Hotel Ashok at Bangalore and its other units.