Fleecing of pilgrims rampant in Laha

SABRIMALA: Widespread complaints against fleecing and poor quality of food served to the pilgrims were raised against the hoteliers of Laha. Half a dozen hotels on both sides of the Mannarakulanji-Chalakayam road at Laha, set up primarily targeting the pilgrims, run their lucrative business at  the expense of the pilgrims, who travel in KSRTC buses. The hoteliers, through intermediaries, lure the KSRTC bus drivers and conductors of various bus stations even weeks before the beginning of the season.Even the bus crew of nearby Pathanamthitta KSRTC bus station, with a distance of 25 km, used to have food from Laha at the expense of the pilgrims.  Though the rates of each food item fixed by the district administration were displayed at the hotels, they used to levy exorbitant rates during night and peak days of the season. Non-vegetarian meals for KSRTC StaffFor attracting the KSRTC staff, the so-called  vegetarian hotels serve non-vegetarian food, fish and meat dishes, in separate enclosures within the hotels. During mornings, one can see vendors with fish near the hotels. The intriguing fact is that the hapless pilgrims, who observe penance as part of their pilgrimage, dine at these hotels where both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items are prepared and served. Further more, the food served to the pilgrims is often sub-standard and rotten.No Random CheckThough the administration set up many squads to check  on the tariff levied from the pilgrims and the quality of food, hardly any search operation was conducted in Laha till date.