|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vasai Taluka Hotel Association to organise silent protest against curbs
|
|
Thursday, 05 August, 2021, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Our Bureau, Mumbai
|
The Vasai Taluka Hotel Association (VTHA), with the support of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), has organised a silent protest against Government decision on continued restrictions on restaurant timings in the district.
Over 200 hotelier and restaurateurs from the region will join their last-ditch survival protest to express their desperation and helplessness against the continued lockdown. The long-distance protest will commence at Tungar Phata, Vasai and culminate at Collector’s office – Palghar.
The Association will submit its plea to the Collector demanding the easing of restrictions for the hotel and restaurant industry. The two associations have also cited the unfortunate death of a Virar-based hotelier who committed suicide last month due to loss of livelihood because of Government neglect towards the hospitality industry.
Nagraj Shetty, secretary, VTHA, said, “The industry is at the brink of collapse and Government is doing nothing to save it. We are not being allowed to operate our businesses but are expected to pay Government its taxes and other statutory levies without fail. We are organising this protest to bring to the attention of the authorities the deteriorating condition of our industry. We want Government to relax the restrictions for us to be able to support our employees and families. We also want Government to provide us with financial reliefs which so many other States have done to save their hospitality industry. One of our own recently succumbed to the financial and mental stress caused by the devastation to his business. Debts collectors are at our doorsteps every day and we don’t know how to repay them when we don’t even know when we can go back to re-opening our business.”
HRAWI has stated that imposition on restaurants’ operation timings is unfair. It has pleaded that restaurants either be allowed to run businesses as usual or if not, at least be offered reliefs and waivers by Government to unburden them from statutory financial obligations.
Sherry Bhatia, president, HRAWI, said, “There is no reason for imposing restrictions on restaurant timings and if it is going to continue with the restrictions then the least Government needs to do is waive the statutory charges for restaurants. A restaurant’s business is in the evenings and hence operating till 4pm is meaningless. We are being singled out and left to hang dry. Government needs to lift the restrictions immediately or we will continue to hold similar protests across the State at local levels. It is very disappointing that Government is not interacting with us, there is no communication. We need a clear roadmap about what is to be expected from Government for us to accordingly make informed decisions for our businesses.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|