Thrissur: The Kudumbasree women who have assumed the operations of Janakeeya Hotel are grappling with financial challenges due to a lack of government support. The government’s passive stance on the issue has placed approximately 1000 Janakeeya hotels managed by Kudumbasree associations in a state of crisis following the withdrawal of subsidies. Government officials argue that the subsidy programme was initiated in response to the COVID-19 situation, and as that scenario has changed, the rationale for continuing the subsidies has diminished. The halt in government assistance has pushed many of these hotels to the brink of closure.
The inception of the hotel was part of the ‘Vishappurahitha Keralam’ initiative by the first Pinarayi government. These 1,000 hotels were initiated by Kudumbasree women. However, local self-government departments now contend that the Janakeeya hotels were established during the pandemic, casting doubt on their eligibility for ongoing support. The potential discontinuation of this programme would exacerbate the plight faced by these women.
Kudumbasree employees express the belief that the government’s decision to raise meal prices to Rs 30 will not result in any benefit. The Janakeeya hotels find themselves on the verge of shuttering due to the escalation in food costs. The surge in meal prices to Rs. 30 has triggered a significant decline in patronage, exacerbating the existing crisis. Employees note that a substantial number of students who previously relied on the Rs. 20 meals are no longer frequenting the hotels.
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