HRAWI Submits Representation Urging Maha Govt. For Rollback of 15% hike along with 50% Waiver on the Excise Licence fee for fy 2022-23

Mumbai, Feb 09: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has submitted a representation to the Maharashtra Government requesting for an immediate rollback of the 15 per cent hike in the Excise Licence Fee for FY 2022-23. Citing the unpredictable nature of restrictions and other measures that may come into effect, if and when another pandemic wave breaks out, the Association has also requested that the Government offers a 50 per cent waiver on the fee for FY 2022-23.

“We are disappointed that the Government instead of helping us in our fight for survival has thought of burdening us by increasing the excise licence fee by another 15 per cent. There is fear and anxiety in the hospitality sector due to the stop-start nature of repeated restrictions caused by the pandemic waves. Significant capital has been ploughed in by the industry to reopen and restart operations and is continuing to make efforts to bring back workers. Under these circumstances, let alone being in any capacity to bear an increase, it is impossible for FL3 license holders to pay license fees at all. We strongly oppose this increase and request that decision to hike the fee is immediately withdrawn and the industry be given a 50 per cent waiver on the existing fee for FY 2022-23,” says Mr Sherry Bhatia, President, HRAWI.

Citing unpredictability of business even in the future with the science community expecting more waves of the pandemic to hit, the HRAWI has urged the Government to provide an extension of deadline to pay the license fees for FY 2022-23 from 31st March 2022 to 30th June 2022. It has also requested that establishments be allowed to pay the renewal fees for FY 2022-23 in four instalments.

“We completely lost last year’s holiday season business and we are already in February 2022. Payment of the excise licence fee in another 30 days will be extremely difficult for a majority of the establishments. So, we request the Government that it provides us an extension on the cut-off date to pay the fees as well as give us a breather to pay the renewal fees in four instalments,”

Mr Sherry Bhatia, President, HRAWI

HRAWI has stated that a complete lockdown was imposed on restaurants for 6 months and 12 days during the first wave of the pandemic and then, for another two months and 20 days during the second wave. Even when restaurants were allowed to operate, severe restrictions with curbs on operation timings and seating capacity were imposed on them.

“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. In the pre-pandemic days, the industry did not flinch while paying the excise licence fees but today, it is a different story,”

Mr Pradeep Shetty, Sr. Vice 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