Thousands of bars and permit rooms across Maharashtra have decided to shut operations today (July 14), declaring a ‘Bar Bandh’ across the state. The move comes as a protest against the state government’s recent hike in liquor taxes and licensing fees. The Association of Hotels and Restaurants has described these hikes as ‘draconian’.
20,000 Bars Shut Down Across Maharashtra Today
According to Deccan Herald, around 20,000 bars and permit rooms across Maharashtra are observing a ‘Bar Bandh’ today. The statewide shutdown was called by the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (AHAR) in protest against the state government’s recent “relentless and unjust” tax hikes.
The Bar Bandh in Maharashtra comes after repeated appeals by the hospitality industry were not heard. As per AHAR, the ₹1.5 lakh crore hospitality industry is being driven to the brink of collapse by this recent tax hike. They are now calling it a “battle for survival.”
While addressing the media, Sudhakar Shetty, President, AHAR, said that their “pleas have fallen on deaf ears.” Now, to fight against these “triple tax tsunami” and the state government’s draconian taxation, a shutdown like this was needed.
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Protest Against Increased Liquor Tax Hike
According to AHAR, bars and permit rooms across Maharashtra are protesting against the recent tax hike. Reportedly, the VAT on liquor has been doubled from 5% to 10% in the state, accompanied by a 15% hike in annual license fees and a steep 60% increase in excise duty. All these hikes were imposed within the span of a year. Bars across Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and Konkan are participating in this shutdown.
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