“Beginning Of
The End Of Licence Raj”
Mumbai: In a landmark move the Government of Maharashtra granted
the long standing demand of hoteliers and restaurateurs and abolished the sign
board licenses. A recent circular issued by the Government of Maharashtra has done
away with the need for retail establishments to obtain licence for advertising
their own business at their operational premises. The circular has also
indicated that along with the licence, retailers will no longer have to pay for
the fee either. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI)
which has been leading advocacy for the cancellation of the license has
welcomed the move and has commended the Government for taking progressive steps
towards facilitating the ease of doing business policy.
“The move comes on the back of the
‘Model Shops and Establishments Bill’ which the Union
Cabinet has recently
given a nod to which essentially allows establishments to remain operational
24/7. Although, the State Government is yet to finalize on introducing this
bill in Maharashtra, the abolishment of the sign board licence is an encouraging
indication of the Government’s outlook towards ease of doing business,” says
Mr. Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI.
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| Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI |
The new circular states that
sky-signs are mainly set up for advertising, which is an integral component of
every retail store. As long as the sky sign is fixed in and out of the
self-owned, leased or mortgaged premise of the retail store, by the trader
advertising his own business it shall not attract the requirement of permission
of the Commissioner or Chief Officer or Competent Authority and payment of
fees.
“The HRAWI has been tirelessly
following-up with the Government for many years, including the previous
Governments, to rationalize laws and policies that are either archaic or simply
irrelevant today. The abolishment of this licence is welcomed by the
association and the industry,” concludes Mr. Malkani.
About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western
India (HRAWI)
The Hotel and Restaurant
Association (Western India) is a 66 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.
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