Support for ‘bar bandh' today
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Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
Supports pour in for Monday's statewide strike by bars
Restaurants and bar owners stage a protest against the Maharashtra government's recent tax hikes on alcohol, in Thane on Monday. (ANI Photo) MUMBAI: In a powerful escalation of the State-wide protest against the Maharashtra Governments draconian liquor tax regime, the Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) HRAWI has appealed and urged over 11,500 hotels to support the Bar Bandh and No Alcohol call on Monday, July 14th. Thus an AHAR-initiated strike has received a strong backing. Based on HRAWI's advisory, regional hotel Associations across the State, including Palghar, Vasai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Nashik among others, have come out in full support to shut bars and alcohol service areas inside hotels. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Initiated and supported by HRAWI - the Western wing of India's apex hospitality Association FHRAI, the coordinated industry-wide shutdown is being described as one of the largest and most unified acts of protest in Maharashtra's hospitality history. The protest is a response to the Maharashtra Governments recent decisions to: -Increase in excise duty by a massive 60 per cent, imposition of a 10 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), and hike in annual bar license fees by 15 per cent. This tax hike is nothing short of an existential threat to the hospitality sector. For many establishments, this triple blow will mean shutting shop permanently. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo By participating in this protest, our members are not expressing dissent they are fighting for survival, said Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI. The tourism and hospitality industry in Maharashtra is a vital pillar of the State's economy: - supports over 20 lakh direct and indirect jobs, contributes significantly to the State's GDP, and attracts over 15 crore domestic and international tourists annually. Restaurants and bars in hotels form the backbone of tourist and business hospitality infrastructure across key destinations like Mumbai, Pune, Lonavala, Alibaug, Nashik, and more. With the proposed taxes, Maharashtra will become one of the most expensive places in the country to operate a bar, pricing out both operators and tourists, said an HRAWI release. HRAWI anticipates this massive discrepancy in taxation will lead to:-widespread closure of bars and permit rooms, loss of over 4 lakh jobs across Maharashtra, diversion of tourists to neighbouring, more affordable states, and spike in unregulated alcohol consumption in public spaces affecting the overall tourism potential of the state. An average tourist spends between Rs.2,000/- to Rs.5,000/- a day, and a significant part of that is on food and beverage. With these new taxes, Maharashtra is effectively pushing leisure tourism out of reach for Indian families, adds Shaw. The decision by 11,500 hotel-based bars to join the shutdown underlines the depth of concern across the hospitality ecosystem. The impact will be felt from five-star city hotels to budget accommodations in tourist towns, all of whom depend on responsible, regulated alcohol service as part of the guest experience. This is not just about alcohol its about business viability, jobs, and Maharashtra's standing as a tourism-friendly State. We urge the Government to reconsider these punitive measures immediately, added Shaw. HRAWI reiterates its appeal to the Government of Maharashtra to: rationalise the excessive hikes in excise duty, VAT, and license fees, reviewing of the mandatory yearly revision of license fees, Initiating a constructive dialogue with industry bodies, and creating a policy framework that balances revenue goals with industry sustainability. "Until then, July 14th will remain a silent yet powerful protest, where Maharashtras hospitality industry will put business on pause to fight for its future," said the release.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- The Hindu
Maharashtra hotel association held one-day strike to oppose duty hike on alcohol
Maharashtra's hospitality sector, consisting of bar and restaurant-based bars, held a Statewide ''No Alcohol' strike on Monday (July 14, 2025) opposing the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' government's decision to hike excise duty. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) led the strike to counter the Maharashtra government decision to impose a 60% hike in excise duty, a 15% increase in annual FL3 license fees for Financial Year 26, and a 10% VAT on Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sold at FL3 outlets. 'The one-day strike to grab the attention of the government and make them understand that the tax hike will make everything expensive, which will affect businesses. Secondly, we want to look at it from the larger perspective of tourism, especially when we have got UNESCO status for so many monuments, State should be competent enough to serve tourist from across the country and from the abroad,' said Pradeep Shetty, member of Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI. The duty hike is also seen as a way to fund welfare schemes, including the Ladki Bahin initiative. HRAWI also wrote a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, referring to the proposed hike, which may cause a sharp rise in the retail prices of alcoholic beverages. It also mentioned the consequences that may cause financial strain on hospitality businesses already struggling with 10% higher license fees, 10% VAT, and rising operational costs. 'The annual excise license fees have also been revised upward by 15%, further compounding the burden on the industry. The final price of the product is likely to become the most expensive in the country, making Maharashtra a less competitive destination for tourists, impacting tourism and hospitality,' said Jimmy Shaw, President of HRAWI, in the letter.
India Today
14-07-2025
- India Today
'No alcohol' protest at over 20,000 bars in Maharashtra today over duty hikes
Maharashtra's hospitality sector, comprising over 20,000 bar owners—including 8,000 in Mumbai and its suburbs and 11,500 hotel-based bars—has announced a statewide 'Bar Bandh' and 'No Alcohol' strike today in protest against the Devendra Fadnavis government's decision to hike excise unprecedented shutdown, supported by regional hotel associations in Palghar, Vasai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Nashik, marks one of the largest unified protests in Maharashtra's hospitality history. The protests will be led by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI). advertisementLast week, the Maharashtra government decided to impose a 60% hike in excise duty, a 15% increase in annual FL3 license fees for FY26, and a 10% VAT on Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sold at FL3 outlets. These measures, aimed at addressing financial strain from the Ladki Bahin scheme, have sparked outrage among bar owners, who warn of an existential threat to their tax hikes have significantly increased liquor prices, hitting consumers hard. A 180-ml bottle of country liquor, previously priced at Rs 60– Rs 70, now costs Rs 80. Maharashtra-made liquor is now priced at Rs 148. Indian-made foreign liquor has risen from Rs 130 to Rs 205, and premium foreign liquor now costs Rs 360, up from Rs 210.'This triple blow will force many establishments to shut permanently. Our members are fighting for survival,' said Jimmy Shaw, President of Shaw added that the hospitality sector, which supports over 20 lakh jobs and attracts 15 crore tourists annually, is a vital pillar of Maharashtra's economy. HRAWI warns that the current tax regime could lead to widespread bar closures, over 4 lakh job losses, a shift of tourists to more affordable neighbouring states, and a rise in unregulated alcohol to the controversy, the state's plan to issue 328 new liquor sale licenses, primarily to companies rather than individual shopkeepers, has raised allegations of favouritism. Each liquor manufacturing company will reportedly receive eight licenses, and the committee overseeing foreign liquor production licenses is chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whose son, Jay Pawar, is also a director at Capovitez, a liquor manufacturing has fueled accusations of a conflict of interest, with critics like UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut stating, 'Maharashtra is turning into a land of drunkards,' and social activist Anjali Damania arguing, 'Ajit Pawar should not head this committee.' However, Ajit Pawar has avoided commenting on the has urged the government to rationalise the excessive tax hikes, reconsider the mandatory yearly revision of license fees, and engage in dialogue with industry bodies to create a sustainable policy framework. Both the public and industry stakeholders are now left questioning whose interests the government's liquor policies truly serve.- Ends
