Bhubaneswar, April 30: Several hotels across Odisha downed their shutters yesterday in response to a nationwide strike called by hoteliers and restaurateurs against a new service tax being imposed by the central government from April 1.
"Although we were informed about the strike late Sunday evening, the strike was spontaneous in our state," K.K. Rao, executive secretary of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), told IANS. HRAO has about 300 members.
"Though most of hotels and restaurants were closed, food and other facilities were provided to those staying in respective hotels," Rao said.
The tax applies to hotels and restaurants that are either fully or partially air-conditioned.