Halls, families should find a middle path in refund issue

This picture has been used for representational purpose

An extensive report in this paper stated how people who had booked halls for marriages and other functions are struggling to get their money back.

There were several bookings for the end of 2021 and early this year as this is high social season in India. It is also prime time for weddings and several venues had been booked for the purpose. Then Omicron came and quite literally spoilt the party. There were cancellations across the board. The report stated how people were struggling to get their money refunded. Some of them had paid substantial sums in advance.

While some venues have returned the money, most have told people to re-schedule events but no refunds. The halls claim that they have constraints themselves having paid some taxes. They cite ‘policy' which says the event can be rescheduled, but refunds cannot be given. While one understands it is tough going for halls and party rooms, given that the virus has ravaged business since the past two years, there is also the fact that people are suffering huge losses through two years.

Many of those making a booking and having to cancel because of the current cases may have dipped into their savings to do so. The amount will certainly pinch many quite hard. Rather than taking the obdurate ‘it is policy' line, venues can look at a middle path. Maybe, they can keep a small percentage of the booking fees paid, to tide over their expense and return the rest because these are unforeseen, unfortunate and extraordinary circumstance.

Our policies should be advantageous to all. These are very different times, and maybe those no-refund policies were made in non-Covid times. If both the management of these places and the people that booked them can agree on some terms where the former retains a small sum, and returns the rest, we can have some solution to this vexatious and very real problem.