Latest news with #NationalRestaurantAssociationofIndia
Deccan Herald
17 hours ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Rapido to pilot food delivery services in Bengaluru, starting July
As per National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), the Bengaluru-headquartered company will charge a fixed fee of Rs 25 on orders under Rs 400 and Rs 50 on orders above that.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka liquor shops to shut on May 21 over licence fee hike
Representative image BENGALURU: Buffeted by repeated hikes in excise duties and licence fees in the past two years, thousands of distilleries and liquor shops in Karnataka are planning a strike and demonstration on May 20 and a complete shutdown of all industry activities on May 21. Store owners are planning to stop purchasing liquor from govt depots as a mark of protest. Karnataka Wine Merchants Association , along with National Restaurant Association of India and Karnataka Brewery and Distilleries Association , took the dual-protest measure after the latest blow came in the form of govt's May 15 draft notification doubling licence fees. Experts: Frequent hike will shut more shops Calling fee hikes "steep and unbearable", the store owners will shutter down on Wednesday. Of 12,000 licensed liquor stores in Karnataka,over 5,000 are participating in the shutdown. According to the draft notification, the annual licence fee for breweries has increased from Rs 27 lakh to Rs 54 lakh, while for distilleries and warehouses, it has risen from Rs 45 lakh to Rs 90 lakh. The new fees take effect on July 1. Industry representatives told TOI such frequent increases will lead to more business closures and higher prices for consumers. Nearly 30,000 letters of objections have been collected from employees, licensees, customers, vendors, and landlords, highlighting concern over a fourfold increase in fee this year. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo A senior excise department official said the hikes were implemented to address revenue shortfalls from the previous year. "The hike was a decision taken by the govt and we just implemented it. The decision is taken to cover the gap for the previous year target," the official said. While the revenue target for 2024-25 was set at Rs 38,525 crore, the department managed to collect only Rs 35,530 crore, or 92.3% of the target. Retailers noted the fresh licence fee hikes will particularly affect budget-segment sales and small outlets. More than 40 pubs in Bengaluru closed last year due to rising costs and declining customer numbers. A pub chain owner in Koramangala, said: "The hikes are eating into all our profits. Earlier, it was AED (additional excise duty) hikes, now even the licence fee is doubled. We might as well shut our businesses. Even in peak summer, there are barely any sales." Sampath Kumar, vice-president of Karnataka Wine Merchants Association, said: "We had a meeting on Friday with our committee members. Both consumers and merchants can't bear the expenses." Ananth Narayana, secretary of National Restaurant Association of India, added: "We generate so much employment, pay crores in taxes, yet the govt is intent on killing the golden goose. Last time, we saw excise collection dip after taxes increased, and many outlets went into the red. The govt is repeating the mistake."
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
As Haryana, UP steal Delhi's diners, city's restaurant lobby demands fewer govt restrictions to win them back
The Delhi chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) met Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to push for urgent reforms in the city's hospitality sector, citing long-standing regulatory barriers that continue to stunt industry growth, reported TOI. Representing a sector worth Rs 42,000 crore in Delhi alone and employing over five lakh people across 1.2 lakh food outlets, the association pressed for changes that would revitalise the capital's dining scene and boost the ease of doing business. The delegation, led by NRAI Delhi head Sandeep Goyle and members Manpreet Singh, Rahul Singh, Goumtesh Singh, Dhruv Goyle, and Prakul Kumar, voiced concerns over high excise fees, outdated licensing processes, inconsistent policies on open-air service, and restricted hours. According to the delegation, these issues are driving business to neighbouring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. They also highlighted the lack of premium liquor availability and inefficiencies in the e-Abkari portal, said the report. Among key demands were: a pro-rata excise fee model , multi-year licensing, extended restaurant operating hours till 3am, permission for terrace and open-area liquor service, and use of multiple dispensing counters. Live Events NRAI also raised the issue of excessive licensing, fragmented regulations, and executive overreach in fire safety compliance , urging a transition to a single registration-based permit system with standardised five-year validity. TOI further reported that the group criticised the uneven stance on open-area dining — allowed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, but restricted by the New Delhi Municipal Council — and called for consistent policy across zones. CM Gupta reportedly welcomed the inputs and assured the delegation of her administration's intent to collaborate with the industry. Goyle said Gupta showed interest in policy suggestions that could simultaneously boost the sector and state revenue. With a new excise policy in the works, the industry remains hopeful that the government will incorporate NRAI's recommendations to transform Delhi into a more vibrant and business-friendly food capital.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ease of doing biz: Restaurant body seeks a smoother platter in Delhi
New Delhi: The National Restaurant Association of India 's Delhi Chapter met chief minister Rekha Gupta to apprise her of key concerns and recommend policy changes aimed at revitalising the city's dining and hospitality ecosystem. Representing more than five lakh employees across 1.2 lakh food outlets and comprising an estimated size in Delhi of Rs 42,000 crore, NRAI urged Gupta to urgently address long-standing regulatory hurdles and institutional bottlenecks that have hindered the industry's growth in the capital. The delegation, led by NRAI Delhi Chapter head Sandeep Goyle and comprising members Manpreet Singh, Rahul Singh, Goumtesh Singh, Dhruv Goyle and Prakul Kumar, welcomed the BJP govt's commitment to enhancing ease of doing business in the city. They emphasised the restaurant sector's role not only in job creation and tax generation, but also in enhancing the cultural and social vibrancy of a detailed representation, the association discussed the excise fees, outdated licensing processes, inconsistent permissions for open-air service, restricted operating hours and the non-availability of premium liquor brands in the capital, all of which are causing a significant shift in consumer traffic and business to neighbouring Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Among NRAI's top recommendations were restructuring excise fees through a pro rata model and introducing multi-year licensing options. It also proposed extending the closing hour for restaurants from 1am to 3am, citing the need to remain competitive with nightlife offerings in Gurgaon and Noida. The association also requested approval of liquor service on terraces, open areas and the use of multiple dispensing counters — practices common in other metropolises but restricted in Delhi.A significant concern raised during the meeting was the unavailability of premium liquor brands in the city. Sandeep Goyle also highlighted inefficiencies in the e-Abkari portal and the non-reversal of the burdensome Covid-era VAT hike. NRAI also complained about executive overreach in the implementation of new fire safety unresolved issue is the inconsistency regarding open-area dining. While the Municipal Corporation of Delhi permits this, New Delhi Municipal Council is yet to allow service in open spaces at licensed premises, including gardens, decks, terraces and said the industry was burdened by the excessive number of licences and approvals required to start and operate a restaurant in Delhi. Rahul Singh pointed out that operators often had to deal with many licences involving separate documentation and renewals across several departments. This fragmented regulatory structure, he pointed out, not only increased the cost of compliance but also discouraged small and unorganised businesses from entering the formal remedy this, NRAI recommended reducing the number of licences and transitioning to a streamlined registration-based regime with standardised five-year validity for all permits. It also advocated retention of essential regulations related to food safety, environment, taxation and public security, while removing redundant ones such as signage and trade delegation told TOI they were encouraged by Gupta's positive response. Goyle said CM welcomed the dialogue and assured NRAI of her govt's intent to work closely with the industry. He said she sought suggestions from the industry on ways to boost the sector and increase state a new excise policy awaited, Goyle was optimistic that the industry's suggestions would be incorporated in the policy and stressed the meeting with CM marked a major step forward in aligning govt and industry. The delegation was optimistic Gupta would make Delhi one of India's most dynamic and business-friendly food destinations.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hike in liquor rates, bar licences: Going out for a drink to cost more in Gurgaon
Gurgaon: Going out to drink liquor, or to buy it, is set to get more expensive from next month in the city. Haryana govt this week released its new excise policy — this time till March 2027, instead of the typical fiscal year — substantially hiking annual fees for bars and restaurants along with base price of liquor. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The licence fee for bars at five-star hotels goes up from Rs 30 lakh (four quarters of a year) to Rs 85 lakh (seven quarters). At four-star hotels, this hike is from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 60 lakh. For standalone establishments, it will go up from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 45 lakh. Most types of liquor, from beer to whiskey, went up from Rs 50 to Rs 100 per bottle. For instance, the base price of mild and strong beer increased by Rs 54 per case. Canned beer went up Rs 60 per case, but draught beer's cost remains the same. A hike in import fees also prompted the state to increase brand and label registration fees for whisky and scotch by Rs 4 lakh, run by Rs 1.7 lakh, gin and vodka by 1 lakh, wine by Rs 20,000 and beer by Rs 2.5 lakh. Under the new policy, restaurants and bars will have to pay higher additional fees to operate beyond midnight – from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to stay open till 2am, and from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh for every additional hour after that. Beyond the base price of liquor — assessment fee, permit fee and retail fee — have been increased too. Whisky will attract Rs 75 for every bulk litre (BL) as assessment fee, Rs 25 per BL as permit fee and Rs 20 per BL as retail fee. The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) expressed concerns about the cumulative impact of Haryana's new excise policy on the hospitality sector. "The increase in bar licence fees, alongside sharp hikes in supply costs and extended-hour charges, significantly escalates the cost of doing business in Haryana. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These changes not only put financial strain on thousands of restaurants, bars and hotels, but risk discouraging responsible, regulated consumption also. Globally, govts are encouraging consumption in monitored hospitality settings," said Rahul Singh, trustee, NRAI. He also said the restaurant and nightlife ecosystem is a major employer and contributes meaningfully to revenues and tourism. "We strongly urge the Haryana govt to engage in constructive dialogue with the industry to find a more balanced, sustainable framework — one that ensures revenue goals are met without stifling business or alienating consumers," he said, adding that the increase in prices came as a surprise to the industry. "The proposed hike in beer prices will be a sharp jolt for both consumers and the hospitality industry. While we understand the state's intent to align pricing with neighbouring regions and enhance revenue, the timing — coinciding with peak summer beer demand — is concerning," Singh, who is also founder and CEO of The Beer Cafe, said.
