HRAWI APPEALS FOR A SINGLE WINDOW ON DEADLINE EXTENSION APPROVALS

HRAWI Appeals For A Single Window on Deadline Extension Approvals

Expresses Apprehensions About Hosting Christmas Eve Parties As Some Approvals Are Yet To Come Through

Mumbai: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has welcomed the state government’s decision to allow hotels and restaurants to operate till 5 am on December 24, 25 and 31. However, it has expressed apprehension about being able to host Christmas Eve programmes as the necessary permissions are yet to be granted by the Police. With only a day to go, hotel owners are in a limbo and unable to make arrangements until the police extend their approval too.

The HRAWI has appealed for blanket approvals on extension of timings on these days by default, as against ad hoc approvals given each year. It also has requested the Government to provide such approvals through a single window rather than from multiple departments like Police, Excise and others.

“Firstly, we wish to express our thanks to the State Government for granting an extension on the deadline. But without all the approvals in place we cannot conceive special programmes for our patrons. This not only affects the city from a business point of view in terms of revenues lost, both to exchequer and the establishments, but also restricts revellers from enjoying the spirit of the season to the fullest,” says Mr. Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI and Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI).

“Each year hotels face the dilemma of whether or not to proceed with making any special arrangements as we are unsure if all the permissions will come through in time. Even if the permissions do come through, it does no good for us to receive it at the eleventh hour because then we have very little time to make the required arrangements. Hence, we request all departments to expedite the process of giving permissions and extend the permissions through a single window,” adds Mr. Malkani.

Earlier this year the Hon’ble Chief Minister (CM) had announced his commitment to promote tourism and create ease of doing business for the hotel industry in the state. Based on the proposals submitted by HRAWI, the Government in principle resolved to reduction of operating licences from 75 to 25, requiring only 5 forms for obtaining all these licences, abolishment of event licences for pre-designated locations and permission for live performances, among others.

“We are thankful to the Maharashtra state and especially Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for acknowledging some of the more critical issues faced by the hotel industry. However, this particular issue of deadline extension approvals coming at the last minute remains unaddressed. HRAWI has been requesting for a blanket deadline which will do away with the need for issuing notifications every year on these three days. This will not only bring in out-of-state tourists but also bring back the lost lustre of Mumbai, being the country's mega polis. We sincerely hope that the State gives this issue the due consideration and includes this in the ambit of ease of doing business in the state,” concludes Mr. Kamlesh Barot, past President, HRAWI.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 65 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include smaller Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. The bulk of its members like any growth economy are made up of budget hotels. With around 1300 members across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa, and is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata.