Question : ASTRO PALMISTS IN HOTELS

(a) the total number of persons officiating as Astro Palmists in various 5 Star hotels run by ITDC with special mention to Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi and the service regulations that are monitoring their functioning;

(b) the functional impact towards development of tourism industry commercially as they being supposed to entertain highly influential sections of society;

(c) whether there is any restriction on their code of conduct not to alow them to use the hotel premises virtually as their private chamber for personal income at the cost of Government exchequer;

(d) if so, whether there are any checks on these Astro Palmists so that they may not exploit the distinguished guests visiting these hotels tarnishing the image of the traditional old value of their professions; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI ANANTHKUMAR)

(a): There is only one regular official in ITDC working as Astro Palmist since 1987 and presently deployed in Ashok Hotel, New Delhi. The incumbent is governed by the service rules and regulations of ITDC.

(b): Such facilities are a value addition for hotels as Astrology is a part of India’s rich heritage.

(c): All employees of the corporation are governed by the Conduct Rules of the organisation.

(d)&(e): The consultation fee is paid by the customers directly to the hotel.