K Mazumdar points at poor facilities at Jungle Lodges

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the chairperson and managing director of Biocon, took potshots at the government over the poor facilities at the Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) in Kabini.

Taking to Twitter she wrote: “My foreign guests visited Jungle Lodges at Kabini n I understand the rooms were primitive n food was awful. The only redeeming aspect was the jungle. Why is @karnataka tourism incapable of running a decent operation when they charge $260 per person per day - a real rip off. (sic)”

Her tweet caught the attention of many, who also listed a gamut of issues from accommodation cost to facilities at the resorts.

Talking to DH Kiran told that her guests visited the resort last week.

“On returning, they said the food and rooms were substandard for the charges. Even the linen did not look clean. These guests have travelled the globe. They told me that even in Africa and Latin America the costs are not so high, but facilities are much better,” she said.

Facilities are better at Gir forest, Kerala and Rajasthan. When things are pointed, government departments always have an excuse. When the cost is high, expectations are also high. The government should privatise its facilities as it is unable to manage, she said.

Kiran was a part of the advisory committee to the tourism department which had suggested improving facilities across all tourism properties and rope in the private sector for improvement. The new government dissolved the committee.

Reacting to this, Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh said: “A detailed inquiry will be conducted, and lapses will be set right. I have also invited her for a discussion.”

JLR Managing Director Vijay Sharma said the rates at Kabini range from $65 to $175 depending on the type of accommodation, plus 18% taxes. Since the JLR is an eco-tourism destination, ethnic ambience is maintained. Being in the hospitality sector, there is always scope for improvement in services.