Title - Collector warns hoteliers against fleecing pilgrims - Times Of India

ALAPPUZHA: District collector P Venugopal said criminal cases will be registered against those shop owners and hotel operators in the district, especially in Chengannur, who fleece Sabarimala pilgrims.

He said that the district administration has also fixed the rate for food items in the hotels in the district in connection with Sabarimala season.

Chengannur Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Sabarimala, which is located 93km away from Chengannur. Over 1,000 Sabarimala pilgrims arrivedaily at Chengannur during Sabarimala season.

"We received many complaints that hotel operators and shop keepers charge high amounts from Sabarimala pilgrim. So the district administration decided to fix the rate of food items and take stringent action against the people who exploit the Sabarimala pilgrims," the collector said.

"He said that some hotel owners are charging higher rates for meals with a nick name 'special meals'. This will not be allowed," the collector said.

The administration has published the prices of food items served in the hotels.

Following are the prices fixed by the district administration for various food items. Kerala meals (Rs 35), Andhra meals (45), dosa (Rs 5), palappam (Rs 5), chappathi-single (Rs 6.50), two chappathi plus curry (Rs 25), porotta-single (Rs 8), nai roast (Rs 25), masala dosa (Rs 30), puri masala with curry (Rs 25), parippu vada ( Rs 6), uzhunnu vada (Rs 6), ullivada (Rs 6), banana fry (Rs 7), green peas curry (Rs 15), kadala curry (Rs 15), potato curry (Rs 15) and curd (Rs 12).