Unmarried couples no longer welcome, OYO changes check-in rules
New Delhi (PTI): Travel booking major OYO has launched a new check-in policy for partner hotels, starting from Meerut, introducing guidelines effective this year whereby unmarried couples will no longer be welcome to check in.
Under the revised policy, all couples will be asked to present valid proof of relationship at the time of check-in, including for bookings made online. OYO has empowered its partner hotels' discretion to decline couple bookings based on their judgment, aligning with local social sensibility, the company said.
OYO has given the directive to its partner hotels in Meerut to ensure this with immediate effect. Based on ground feedback, the company may expand this to more cities, people familiar with the policy change said.
"OYO has received feedback in the past from civil society groups especially in Meerut urging action to address this issue. Additionally, residents from few other cities have petitioned for disallowing unmarried couples to check-in at OYO hotels," they said.
Pawas Sharma, Region Head, OYO North India, told PTI, "OYO is committed to upholding safe and responsible hospitality practices. While we respect individual freedoms and personal liberty, we also recognise our responsibility to listen to and work with the law enforcement and civil society groups in the micro markets we operate in. We will continue to review this policy and its impact periodically."
The initiative is a part of OYO's programme to transform outdated perception and project itself as a brand providing safe experience for families, students, business, religious and solo travellers, the company said.
Additionally, the programme aims to encourage longer stays and repeat bookings, enhancing customer trust and loyalty.
OYO has started pan-India initiatives such as joint seminars on safe hospitality with police and hotel partners, blacklisting hotels reportedly promoting immoral activities and initiating actions against unauthorised hotels using OYO branding, it added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Burglars strike SBI bank branch without guard in Andhra; 10 kg gold, Rs 38 lakh cash stolen
Hindupur (PTI): Burglars struck at an SBI bank branch without a guard in Andhra Pradesh and decamped with 10 kg gold and Rs 38 lakh cash, said a police official on Tuesday.
The incident happened in Thumukunta village in Sri Sathyasai district, they added.
Hindupur sub-divisional police officer KV Mahesh said the burglary occurred on Sunday around 2:00 am, and the incident came to the notice of the police on Monday.
"It (burglary) happened here at SBI Branch Thumukunta, Hindupur mandal. Rs 38 lakh cash and 10 kg of gold (was stolen)," Mahesh told PTI, adding that the thieves were suspected to have stayed in the bank for about two hours.
According to Mahesh, one person was seen in the bank's surveillance footage before he destroyed that system and police suspect that others would have come later.
"There is a big window with little security, and they haven't had a watchman in the last four years. And that window has two to three grills where you can bend it easily, even with your hand. That is the kind of security they have," said Mahesh.
The Inspector of Police had cautioned them three months ago about the security lapses and they didn't care about it, he said. Meanwhile, Police registered a case over the theft and are on the hunt for the thieves.
