Hoteliers' associations continue to protest despite amended guidelines

The United Hospitality Forum of Maharashtra (UHFM), an alliance formed by AHAR, HRAWI, NRAI in association with other hotel associations from Maharashtra organized silent protests across locations in the state against the oppressive and irrational COVID-19 control measures imposed by the state government on the functioning of hotels and restaurants.

All the hoteliers' associations have come together under the umbrella of 'United Hospitality Forum of Maharashtra' and have supported the 'Rozi-Roti' movement.

Commenting on the protests held on April 8, Shivanand Shetty, President, AHAR, said, “Today’s state-wide protest was a coordinated effort of industry associations coming together and standing up to the high handedness of the state government in imposing draconian and absurd restrictions on hotels and restaurants. Already, because of last year’s lockdown, the industry is in dire straits, so we fail to understand how it wasn’t thought through before announcing. We hope at least now, the government realizes its mistake and make amendments to the guidelines supporting the industry. It has put businesses under tremendous financial strain. If the government doesn’t pay heed to our collective appeals, the industry is doomed. It is very painful to see people losing their livelihood and not knowing from where and when is their next meal coming in.”

Meanwhile, the agitators said that their businesses would be severely damaged due to the curfew on Saturday and Sunday. Home delivery is not a hospitality business. Only seven to eight per cent of income can be earned from take-aways and home delivery. If hotels and restaurants are to be closed, then electricity bills, water bills, space rent, excise duty and other charges should be waived, the protesters demanded.

Sherry Bhatia, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, also opposed the government's decision, saying "it is nothing but a lockdown-like situation for us".

“After the last years’ lockdown, our area was completely closed for 10 months. At that time the government did not give any concession. There are 10,500 hotels, 2,10,000 restaurants and 30 lakh employees in the state. Therefore, the government should take responsibility for the damage faced by them,” he added.