Special General Meeting of Federation of Hotel-Restaurants Association Protests against Govt’s

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai (RBI), Mar.21: To abolish FL-3 (Permit room and Beer bar) and license renewal fee collected annually. And public protest and Special General Assembly against Maharashtra Government’s "VAT Tax" policy to meet urgent demands of levying first point tax on manufacture of liquor, to increase government revenue from sale of liquor. Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations Maharashtra (FHRAM) organized last Thursday at Nityananda Hall, Sion East.

 

The meeting is presided over by Federation of Hotels President Dr. Virar Shankar B.Shetty and addresses the recent 15% hike in FL-3 Excise License Fees and the increase in VAT from 5% to 10%. Hotel and permit room owners are facing severe challenges in accommodating these increased costs. Due to the presence of illegal dabbas and certain wine shops that do not pay taxes to the state government, a large number of customers prefer these unauthorized establishments. As a result, legitimate permit room owners are unable to pass on the burden of these increased taxes to their customers, putting them at a significant financial disadvantage.

 

Additionally, the 10% VAT hike does not impact Wine Shops or Country Liquor Bars as the State Government has not issued new licenses for them since 1974, whereas FL-3 licenses for permit rooms are being issued daily. This unfair policy is further crippling the licensed permit room industry. To protest against this discriminatory taxation policy, the Federation, along with its Member Associations, has unanimously decided not to renew FL-3 licenses until the State Government rolls back the increased FL-3 license fees and VAT discussed in the meeting.

Senior Vice President of the Federation Shyam N. Shetty said that the office bearers of 15 hotel associations participated in the meeting and all of them expressed their full support for this decision.

 

Federation General Secretary Durgaprasad C. Salian said that the Federation is committed to protecting the interests of hoteliers and urges the state government to review these unjust financial burdens.

 

Thane Hotels Association President Polya Umesh Shetty, Secretary Raghunath Rai, Pimpri Chinchwad Hotel and Restaurant Association (Pune) Secretary Tejas Junavane, Treasurer Satish Telang, Members Ganesh Koodale, Harshal Keth, Nashik Hotels Association President Rajendra P. Dokhale, Members Devendra V. Niphudkar, Shrenik B. Kshatriya, Sagar Pagor, Ullasanagar Hotels Association President Prakash Shetty, Secretary Naresh Kandare, Treasurer Surendra Shetty, Rayagada Hotels Association President Rohidas Marade, Ahmednagar Hotels Association President Balwinder Singh Batra, Badlapur Hotels Association President Ashok Shetty, Bhiwandi Hotels Association President Bhaskar Shetty (Joint Secretary, FHRAM), Ramakrishna Shetty, Secretary Prajwal Shetty, Anand Buckley of Parbhani Hotels Association, Vivek Kalme, Tejas Shetty of Kalyan Hotels Association, Dayananda Shetty of New Navi Mumbai Hotels Association (Vice President, (FHRAM)) were present.

 

The members of the federation were present and expressed their views and asked the federation to take appropriate action. Durgaprasad C.Salian conducted the meeting and proposed vote of thanks.