The Hospitality Associations strongly represented the industry’s demands and informed the CM of restaurateurs’ distress.

A joint delegation of members from the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations Of India (FHRAI), National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) and Hotel Association of India (HAI) met the Chief Minister of Maharashtra – Uddhav Thackeray over the continued timing restrictions on restaurants in the State.

The CM was also joined by the Principal Secretary, Tourism, Excise & Civil Aviation – Valsa Nair, Chief Secretary – Sitaram Kunte and Dr Shashank Joshi - member of the Maharashtra COVID Task Force. The Hospitality Associations strongly represented the industry’s demands and informed the CM of restaurateurs’ distress. The Hon’ble CM assured that he will be present in the next meeting of the COVID19 task force and look for ways to for a graded reopening of the restaurant sector.

“The Hon’ble CM’s words were reassuring and our hopes are now completely pinned on him. All the Hospitality Associations came together today for this meeting with the CM and apprised him of the ground reality. With shops now open until 10 pm, we made a case for restaurants timings to be eased as well. Various hardship faced by the industry were highlighted before the CM. The CM has assured that he will personally interact with the COVID19 Task force in their next weekly meeting and explore ways for re-opening of restaurants. He has also assured the industry relief package for the tourism sector after the Government has dealt with the handling of the looming third wave,” says Pradeep Shetty, Sr. Vice President, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI).

The joint delegation informed the CM about the Hospitality industry in Maharashtra being the only industry suffering a total closure for up to 11 months over the last 15 months. Against this background, the Associations made a strong case for a special relief package for the hotel and restaurant sector in the State.

 “Many other States in the country that have suffered a lot less in terms of lockdowns and restrictions, have announced relief measures for the tourism sector. However, the Maharashtra’s Hospitality industry has so far not received any such relief. The Hospitality industry has been following all the SOPs and the mandated protocols. In comparison, the Associations pointed out to the CM the gross neglect of the aviation sector for fliers while being ferried from the airport to the aircraft and vice versa. The CM has acknowledged and shared the Government’s concerns over reopening of restaurant. He admitted to the fact that his Government was taking time and was aware of the industry’s plight. The doctors on the Task Force also have agreed to deliberate on all the suggestions made by the industry and assured to take the suggestions into consideration. The CM has assured a resolution as soon as possible,” concluded Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations Of India (FHRAI).