Mumbai: All permit rooms and bars across Maharashtra will remain closed as part of a statewide bandh called by the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) on Monday, July 14. The protest aims to oppose the steep and unfair tax hikes recently imposed on the hospitality industry.
In a post on X shared by the AHAR - Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association (@AharAssociation), they announced the Maharashtra Bandh scheduled for Monday. The post highlighted the significant challenges the industry is currently facing, particularly the major financial strain due to several recent increases. Specifically, they mentioned that the Value Added Tax (VAT) on liquor has been doubled, license fees have risen by 15 per cent, and excise duty has been increased by a staggering 60 per cent.
These sudden and severe changes are putting immense pressure on small and medium-sized establishments, many of which are already struggling to survive, they added in the post. The shutdown is meant to raise awareness about the damaging impact these tax policies could have, including potential job losses and closures of long-standing businesses.
AHAR is leading the protest in a bid to urge the government to implement more reasonable tax structures and safeguard the future of the hospitality sector. The association is calling on all stakeholders in the industry to join the bandh and stand united in demanding change.
"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, the president of AHAR, to Deccan Herald. He also added that "we have shown restraint, we have waited, and we have appealed. Now, we are forced to make ourselves heard through this bandh," as reported.
