Centaur Hotel employees threaten strike from Apr 17

After the suspension of their three colleagues, the employees of Centaur Hotel today threatened to go on indefinite strike from April 17 in case the suspension order is not revoked by April 16.

Hundreds of employees of the hotel carried out a protest demonstration against the action of management for suspension of the three employees. The protesters also alleged that the management is carrying out behind the scene deal of the hotel.

The suspended employees Mohammad Amin Dar, Ghulam Haider Dar and Showkat Ahmad Bhat also took part in the protest demonstration and feigned ignorance about the allegations leveled against them. They termed the grounds of suspension as flimsy saying that the management does not want the employees union to come up at the hotel.

Talking to Jk News, a group of protesting employees said that the management suspended the three employees without any rhyme or reason. They said the employees were suspended on mere allegations adding that nothing could be proved against them.

The employees said that they have served two days ultimatum to the management to recall the suspended employees otherwise the 400 employees of the hotel would go on complete strike from April 17. They said management alone would be responsible for the consequences thereof.

"We would go on a pen down strike on Tuesday and this would be followed by hunger strike. If the management still does not listen to us we would come on streets and lodge strong protests", said the employees.

"We are going to hold the elections for the union and for this process we have set up election commissioner. We have nominated three persons for the post of election commissioner so far and all these three persons have been suspended. This is all being done to woo us so that no elections are held and employees don't raise their voice against the management," said the employees.

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Country Inn rated No 1 Hotel of Jammu Kashmir

Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel website, selected Country Inn and Suites By Carlson, as number 1 hotel of J&K in its 2012 Travellers' Choice awards. The said hotel was rated number third in India and fifth in Asia.

Sanjeev Pahwa, vice president, Country Development and Management Service, India congratulated entire team at the Unit for this milestone. He has further said that it will help us in positioning of the brand in India.

The annual TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards honour the world's best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best real travellers. Unlike any other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.

"With the help of millions of travellers around the globe, TripAdvisor is thrilled to recognise the World's most outstanding hotels with the Travellers' Choice Awards," said Christine Petersen, president, TripAdvisor for Business.

KC Residency to serve Awadhi cuisine

Hotel KC Residency would be serving up Awadhi cuisine coupled with their remarkable hospitability from today to March 14, 2012.

Master Chef M Rehman from Lucknow will be creating a wide range of delicacies daily, using recipes passed on from generations with the best of traditional ingredients. Hotels in Kashmir

It will be an array of gourmet delicacies featuring Kebabs like Kakori Kebab, Galawati Kebab, Dorrae Kebab, Avadhi Tangri, Mawa Ki Kakori, Kele Aur Anjeer Kae Kebab; curries like Taal-e-Shabnam, Bong Zafrani Nehari, Murg Joshina, Nawabi Bharwan Paneer, Talea Baingan Ka Salan; Kormas like Qorma Shah Pasand, Qorma Wajid Ali; Biryanis and desserts along with Khas Murg Pulao, Ghuti Dal Shorba and Paya Potli Shorba.

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There will be an amazing range of authentic Nawabi breads like Fitri Naan, Naan-e-Tanak, Warqui Paratha, Gilafi Kulcha and Khameeri Roti etc.

The Jashn-e-Awadh (Awadh Food Festival) at KC Residency promises to be a lip-smacking treat.

Message for Hoteliers

Don’t use drinking water for toilets, lawns, Hoteliers asked

Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Taj Mohi ud Din has stressed the need for conservation of water in view of the depleting sources of water.

Interacting with a deputation of Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation led by Mushtaq Ahmad Burza here this morning, the Minister advised them not to use drinking water in lawns and toilets and instead go for establishing shallow hand pumps in their premises.

He said the treatment cost of potable water is very high and it needs to be conserved for drinking use only.Taj gave six months time to Hotel and Restaurant owners Federation for digging shallow hand pumps in their premises for cleaning and maintenance purposes. He assured the deputation that water meters won’t be installed at their units for a period of six months and issued directions to the concerned in the Department, accordingly.

JK Govt takes over Centaur Hotel

In a significant development, Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday decided to take over Centaur Hotel of kashmir, adjoining the famous Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex (SKICC) in Srinagar.
The step follows the exposure of an alleged deal to the five-star hotel in scenic Kashmir to a key accused in the infamous telecom scandal by Air India for 33 to DB Realty, whose Managing Director Shahid Balwa has been arrested by the CBI for his alleged role in the 2G spectrum scam.

The lease had irked the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the co-owner of the property at the banks of magnificent and picturesque world famous Dal Lake. The state government had reportedly opposed to the deal arguing that the state laws forbade the sale to a non-state subject.

Director SKICC G.N Qasba, told STATE TIMES that as per an agreement between Hotel corporation of India and the Jammu and Kashmir Government the property cannot be sub let. In this backdrop, he said the state government took a serious note and decided to resume the property.

“This prime property would be value additional to the SKICC and it would help the government for holding two to three days conferences in the SKICC without worrying for the lodging and catering of the participants”, Qasba said, adding that Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah had conceived the project for promoting convention tourism in the valley.The Centaur Hotel has 251 spacious rooms.

Heavy rush of tourists in Kashmir

Kashmir is witnessing heavy rush of tourists particularly at Gulmarg and Pahalgam these days.The picturesque places mesmerize the visitors and they want to spend some days at tourist spots to save themselves from the intense hot weather back at their homes.

“This year number of tourists is much more than expected. In comparison to previous years this month is having more visitors which is increasing day by day,” said Ali Mohammad an owner of a hotel at Gulmarg.

He said, “More tourists are expected to come, since this is just the beginning of tourist season.”

There is also a heavy rush for Gondola riding from Gulmarg to Kongdoru. The official from gondola department says that this year there is an unusual inflow of tourists.

“The rush isso heavy that we fall short of tickets at times,” said gondola ticket distributor who insisted not to be named. He added that he hardly gets time for lunch.

While as in Pahalgam the tale also seems to be same prior to Amaranth Yatra. Both natives and outsiders visit the place whose beauty is added by gushing water of Lidder.

“Now the yatra is starting from 29 of this month,so it becomes difficult then to visit here. For that reason we visit early,” said Mohammad Bari who is on a visit here along with his family.

Since some persons claim that tourists influx gets affected due to the tense situation in Kashmir. But with situation calm this time they expect tourist rush to continue.

“We had a plan for last two months to visit here. But due to the personal problem we could not. But after the problem got resolved, we reached here. Next time we will come earlier so that we can stay for more days,” said another tourist Baljeet Ssingh, who had come here with 19 other tourists.