<p>Mumbai: Over 20,000 bars and permit rooms across Maharashtra shut operations on Monday for “triple tax tsunami”, the Indian of Hotels and Restaurants (AHAR), which is spearheading the one-day bandh-call, has received support from other organisations. </p><p>The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and Hotel And Restaurant Association-Western India (HRAWI) have extended support to the bandh. </p><p>The 20,000-odd bars and permit rooms directly employ more than 4 lakh individuals and support around 48,000 vendors. </p> .<p>Additionally, approximately 18 lakh people are indirectly dependent on this sector for their livelihoods.</p><p>Roughly 50 per cent of the hotel owners and workers hail from Karnataka. </p><p>AHAR is protesting against VAT on liquor hiked from 5 per cent to 10 per cent, a 15 per cent increase in annual license fees and a 60 per cent spike in excise duty in a span of one year. The bandh is a reaction to what AHAR calls a “triple tax tsunami” that has struck the industry in less than a year.</p> .<p>“The entire hospitality sector in Maharashtra is bleeding. Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. On July 14, every bar and permit room in the state will be shut in protest. Entire Maharashtra bars are shut against the state government's draconian taxation,” said Sudhakar Shetty, President, AHAR.</p><p>“The hospitality industry continues to recover from the severe setbacks caused by the pandemic. "This sudden and disproportionate triple tax hike feels like economic throttling," said Sagar Daryani, President, NRAI. </p> .<p>"Such irrational policy decisions will not only overburden restaurants and bars, but will also have a knock-on effect on employment, consumer sentiment, and investor confidence in Maharashtra's food and beverage industry. We strongly urge the Maharashtra Government to hold a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders and reconsider these measures,” he added. </p><p>“The hospitality industry in Maharashtra is already reeling under operational and regulatory challenges. The recent hike in excise duty coupled with the additional 10 per cent VAT on FL3 liquor sales and 15 per cent increase in annual licence fee is not just excessive; it is punitive. </p><p>"This protest is our collective cry for a reason. We request the Government to review this decision in the interest of economic stability, employment and ease of doing business,” says Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.</p><p>“We stand united with our fraternity members across Maharashtra in expressing our deep concern over these regressive policy measures. If implemented, they will further strain the already fragile business environment and will hurt both consumers and operators,” he added.</p> .<p>“Mumbai and Pune are not only Maharashtra's largest hospitality hubs, but also among India's most vibrant culinary and nightlife destinations," said Pranav M Rungta, NRAI Vice President. </p><p>"Imposing such steep and arbitrary tax increases will harm legitimate businesses, reduce employment, and drive consumers to unregulated alternatives. We do not oppose taxation; we oppose irrationality. The government must collaborate with the industry to create a more balanced, business-friendly environment that promotes economic growth and job stability,” he added.</p>
<p>Mumbai: Over 20,000 bars and permit rooms across Maharashtra shut operations on Monday for “triple tax tsunami”, the Indian of Hotels and Restaurants (AHAR), which is spearheading the one-day bandh-call, has received support from other organisations. </p><p>The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and Hotel And Restaurant Association-Western India (HRAWI) have extended support to the bandh. </p><p>The 20,000-odd bars and permit rooms directly employ more than 4 lakh individuals and support around 48,000 vendors. </p> .<p>Additionally, approximately 18 lakh people are indirectly dependent on this sector for their livelihoods.</p><p>Roughly 50 per cent of the hotel owners and workers hail from Karnataka. </p><p>AHAR is protesting against VAT on liquor hiked from 5 per cent to 10 per cent, a 15 per cent increase in annual license fees and a 60 per cent spike in excise duty in a span of one year. The bandh is a reaction to what AHAR calls a “triple tax tsunami” that has struck the industry in less than a year.</p> .<p>“The entire hospitality sector in Maharashtra is bleeding. Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. On July 14, every bar and permit room in the state will be shut in protest. Entire Maharashtra bars are shut against the state government's draconian taxation,” said Sudhakar Shetty, President, AHAR.</p><p>“The hospitality industry continues to recover from the severe setbacks caused by the pandemic. "This sudden and disproportionate triple tax hike feels like economic throttling," said Sagar Daryani, President, NRAI. </p> .<p>"Such irrational policy decisions will not only overburden restaurants and bars, but will also have a knock-on effect on employment, consumer sentiment, and investor confidence in Maharashtra's food and beverage industry. We strongly urge the Maharashtra Government to hold a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders and reconsider these measures,” he added. </p><p>“The hospitality industry in Maharashtra is already reeling under operational and regulatory challenges. The recent hike in excise duty coupled with the additional 10 per cent VAT on FL3 liquor sales and 15 per cent increase in annual licence fee is not just excessive; it is punitive. </p><p>"This protest is our collective cry for a reason. We request the Government to review this decision in the interest of economic stability, employment and ease of doing business,” says Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.</p><p>“We stand united with our fraternity members across Maharashtra in expressing our deep concern over these regressive policy measures. If implemented, they will further strain the already fragile business environment and will hurt both consumers and operators,” he added.</p> .<p>“Mumbai and Pune are not only Maharashtra's largest hospitality hubs, but also among India's most vibrant culinary and nightlife destinations," said Pranav M Rungta, NRAI Vice President. </p><p>"Imposing such steep and arbitrary tax increases will harm legitimate businesses, reduce employment, and drive consumers to unregulated alternatives. We do not oppose taxation; we oppose irrationality. The government must collaborate with the industry to create a more balanced, business-friendly environment that promotes economic growth and job stability,” he added.</p>