Bar Bandh: Over 20,000 hotel bars in Maharashtra to suspend alcohol service on July 14 in protest against liquor tax hike
In a major protest against the recent hikes in liquor-related taxes, more than 20,000 bars and restaurants across Maharashtra will suspend alcohol service on Monday, July 14, as part of a state-wide 'Bar Bandh'.
The protest, called by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), aims to draw attention to what the industry describes as an 'existential threat' posed by the state government's new tax regime.
The hikes include: A 60% increase in excise duty
Doubling of VAT on liquor served at hotels and bars from 5% to 10%
A 15% increase in annual licence renewal fees for FY26
Over 11,500 hotel-based bars have already confirmed their participation, alongside thousands of standalone bars and restaurants in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Vasai, and Palghar. The protest is also supported by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), making it one of the largest coordinated actions in the state's hospitality sector.
Jimmy Shaw, President of HRAWI, said in a press release:
'This tax hike is nothing short of an existential threat to the hospitality sector. Many establishments will be forced to shut permanently. Our members are not just expressing dissent — they are fighting for survival.'
The tourism and hospitality industry contributes significantly to Maharashtra's economy, supporting over 20 lakh direct and indirect jobs and attracting more than 15 crore tourists annually.
Industry representatives argue that the compounded financial burden could lead to the closure of thousands of small and medium establishments, loss of over four lakh jobs, reduced tourist inflow, and a rise in unregulated alcohol consumption.
'An average tourist spends ₹2,000–₹5,000 a day, much of it on food and beverages. With these taxes, Maharashtra risks becoming one of the most expensive states for leisure tourism,' Shaw added.
HRAWI has called on the Maharashtra government to reconsider the increases and engage with industry representatives to create a more balanced, sustainable tax framework.
As the Bar Bandh takes effect on July 14, customers can expect disruption to alcohol service in establishments ranging from luxury hotels to budget eateries across the state.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
12 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Puravankara subsidiary secures Rs 83.5 crore civil works order for ‘Luxon' commercial project in Bengaluru
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on August 6, 2025, 18:05 IST Puravankara Limited has informed the exchanges that its wholly owned material subsidiary, Starworth Infrastructure & Construction Limited, has received a Letter of Intent worth ₹83.51 crore for a major civil construction project in Bengaluru. The order has been awarded by Krishil WhiteAlpha Private Limited for the construction of civil works of a commercial project named 'Luxon' located at Doddanekundi Industrial Area, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka. According to the official filing, the order is a domestic contract and does not fall under related party transactions. The execution timeline will follow the terms outlined in the Letter of Intent. The announcement was made under Regulation 30 of SEBI's Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR), and the company confirmed that there is no promoter group interest in the awarding entity. This development adds to Puravankara's project pipeline and further strengthens the EPC arm's presence in the commercial construction segment. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Business Upturn
15 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Jindal Stainless Q1 Results: Revenue up 8.2% at Rs 10,207 crore, Net profit rises 10.6% YoY
Jindal Stainless delivered a strong performance in the first quarter of FY26, reporting a consolidated net profit of Rs 715 crore, up 10.6% from Rs 647 crore in Q1 FY25. Consolidated revenue stood at Rs 10,207 crore, with EBITDA growing 8.1% YoY to Rs 1,310 crore. The performance was supported by improved sales volumes, robust domestic demand from sectors like automotive, infrastructure, and metro, and sustained operational efficiencies. Net debt declined to Rs 3,869 crore, maintaining a low net debt-to-equity ratio of 0.2x. Sales volume during the quarter was 6.26 lakh tonnes, up 8.3% YoY. Domestic sales accounted for 91% of the volume, while exports contributed 9%. The company marked key milestones with stainless steel supply to Indore Metro, strategic defence orders, and commercial dispatches to BHEL. Its Gurugram office received LEED Platinum certification, and over 3,000 fabricators were trained under the Stainless Academy. Managing Director Abhyuday Jindal highlighted the company's focus on innovation, digital manufacturing through Project Pragati, and reiterated the call for a national stainless steel policy to further strengthen the industry. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Business Upturn
15 hours ago
- Business Upturn
KPI Green Energy secures LoA from Aditya Birla Renewables for 96 MWp solar project in Gujarat
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on August 6, 2025, 14:58 IST KPI Green Energy Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiary KPIG Energia Private Limited, has received a significant Letter of Award (LoA) from Aditya Birla Renewables Limited (ABRL) for the development of a 96 MWp Solar Balance of System (BoS) power plant at Mahua, Gujarat. The scope of this contract includes comprehensive services such as design, engineering, procurement, transportation, erection, testing, synchronization, and commissioning of the 64 MWac / 96 MWp project. KPIG Energia will also conduct performance and facility acceptance tests as part of the project completion process. This domestic order, awarded by ABRL, is a strategic milestone for KPI Green, aligning with the company's long-term vision to achieve 10 GW of capacity by 2030. The company emphasized that this win showcases the trust placed in its execution capabilities for large-scale renewable infrastructure projects. The terms and conditions of the project are as per the detailed Letter of Award, with execution timelines defined by the project schedule. KPI Green clarified that there is no related party interest or transaction involved in this contract. This project further strengthens KPI Green's position in India's fast-evolving renewable energy sector. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
