Mumbai, March 29: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has written to the Maharashtra State Government requesting for 50 per cent waiver in the Excise Licence Fee for FY 2021-22. The Association has pointed out that of the twelve months, hotels and restaurants were allowed to operate without any interruptions to business for only one month. With restrictions of varying extent and nature imposed by the Disaster Management Authority on the license holders, hotels and restaurants in only 14 districts out of the 36 could fully operate and that too just for twenty-eight days between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. The remaining 22 districts across the State continue to operate with restrictions even today.

HRAWI has also stated that while many other sectors have been offered relief in stamp duty and tax benefits, no relief has been extended to the hotel and restaurant industry which is one of the pandemic’s worst hit sectors.

“Maharashtra has around 10,500 hotels and 210,000 restaurants and over the last 24 months around 3,000 hotels and 60,000 restaurants have permanently shut down. Around 50 lakh employees, roughly 40 per cent directly engaged in the industry in the State lost their jobs. During the lockdown period, Maharashtra’s hospitality industry has suffered a revenue loss of approximately Rs.5,000 Cr monthly. All this was a consequence of the severe nature of restrictions imposed on the industry. We have presented a detailed chart to the State Government on the extent and nature of restrictions that were imposed by the Disaster Management Authority on license holders. It clearly shows that out of the 365 days in that year, we had only 28 fully operational days until 31st March 2022. Also, the 28 days were applicable to only 14 districts out of 36 districts in the State. As things stand, it is only fair that the Government waives off 50 per cent of the Excise Licence Fee for that FY,”.

Mr Sherry Bhatia, President, HRAWI

HRAWI has welcomed the State Government for partially rolling back the increase in the excise fees for the FY 2022-23. The relief of 7.5 per cent of the previously notified fee has come as a huge relief to the restaurant and hotel industry, the Association has stated.

“We thank the Government for the partial roll back in the increase in the fee for the coming financial year but the fact remains that the industry has suffered massive losses over the last two years. The roll back is definitely welcome but the industry needs a lot more than a 7.5 per cent relief on the previously notified fee. Most industries in the State have been offered relief in stamp duty and tax benefits but the hospitality industry is being hung out to dry,”.

Mr Pradeep Shetty, Sr. Vice President, HRAWI

“Significant capital has been ploughed in by the industry to reopen and restart operations and is continuing to make efforts to bring back workers. Moreover, inflation caused due to hike in petroleum price as well as of the general increase in all raw materials of up to 40 per cent, has put owners in a very difficult situation. Hence, we request the Maharashtra Government to either offer a uniform waiver of 50 per cent or charge license fees for the FY 2021-22 to the extent of duration during which establishments were allowed to operate”.

Mr Pradeep Shetty, Sr. Vice President, HRAWI.

“Through the last two years, restaurants continued paying for salaries, property taxes, statutory fees, electricity, water and other overheads. However, license holders were unable to carry out the business due to the restrictions imposed by the State. The restaurant industry was severely affected with none to low footfalls. We hope that the State Government will consider our request favourably and extend urgent reliefs to the industry”.

Mr Sherry Bhatia, President, HRAWI.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 72 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include various restaurants and smaller Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. The bulk of its members like any growth economy are made up of restaurants and budget hotels. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa, and is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr J.R.D. Tata.

—–