``While the association is ready to extend full co-operation to the civic body, we do not approve the manner in which SMC officials sealed some hotels and restaurants,'' association president Keshav Aggrawal said on Sunday.

Claiming that the association had helped the civic body in relief operations in the recent flood, Aggrawal said, ``We expected the civic body to reciprocate. Whether it is the Independence Day, Republic Day or the golden jubilee celebrations, we hoteliers are asked to give 25 per cent discount, which we comply with. The SMC should at least give us notices before closing our hotels and restaurants.''

``While we understand the need for such health care drives -- specially after the floods, that affected more than 60 per cent of the city -- hotels and restaurants in the most affected areas could have been asked to close down for some time and undertake cleaning operations to check outbreak of any diseases,'' he said.

Describing the surprise checks as harassment, which had defamed several quality hotels and restaurants, the president said the civic body should have a clear-cut policy on the issue. ``We would welcome checking of hotels and restaurantss either at a fixed interval. But there should be a system. Today, while 50 per cent hotels are running, others have been sealed or asked to close down for 48 hours''.