In the recent past, i went to a premium hotel for all the classes in Hyderabad. I have enquired about the price differences in various floors. I was discussing with friends that the quality of the food may vary. One of the employee of that hotel replied that there is no variation in the taste of the food. Subsequently, my friend clarified that we are paying for the space we are occupying for our comfort. I would like to say it as “comfort tax”.

Also, one of my friends have ordered for the lemon -coriander soup costing about 80 rupees. After some day, i prepared the same soup at 10 rupees for 3 people. Thus, hotels are charging exorbitantly high up to 10 times on some items. We even don’t know whom to complaint about this injustice.

Similarly, i went to a hyper market to buy the vegetables, when i missed the weekly market in east marredpally. Astonishingly, the prices were almost double. I recollected the comfort tax explained in preceding paras. It’s little higher as the number of employees working is also high in addition to the space provided by the mall.

In the early years of the establishment of the shopping malls, it was expected that the prices would come down ,as the malls would purchase directly from the manufacturer. But, prices of many items are higher than market prices. A few items are offered at cheaper prices than market prices. This is due to hiring of more space, hiring of more employees and not buying the vegetables directly from farmers. Also, the traditional vendors don’t count their salaries though all their family members works in it.

Thus, the middle class purchasing the commodities and services are paying the comfort tax unnecessarily. Instead of this people can follow to avoid the comfort tax as follows :
1. To buy the food parcels from the premium hotels ensures the same quality of food at low cost.And eating with all family members has to be inculcated.

2. Some of the items should be invariably prepared at house only to avoid excessive payments.
3. Vegetables should be purchased in weekly markets or Rythu bazars, as the prices are definitely low and many varieties are available there.
4. People can directly order in online some electronic items such as computers, televisions,etc. to get the commodities at low prices, as they send the products directly from the godowns. This avoids the comfort tax and provides commodities at low prices. Regarding, the last point, there are difference of opinions . But, we can buy a few things, so as to protect our traditional business community.

I request you to offer remarks. You may please share if you like it.