Restaurateurs in Gujarat have given fresh air to the ongoing controversy of Aditi Restaurant in Mumbai. Gujarat Rajya Hotel Federation (GRHF), which has strong membership base of over 5,000 members across the State, is planning to propose its members to keep names of delicacies on UPA Government’s scams in order to stand in support of the Mumbai restaurant.
“We believe that in democracy everyone has right to express views. The owner of the Aditi Restaurant has done nothing wrong. Members of GRHF are with the Mumbai based restaurant,” said Ashwin Gandhi, secretary of GRHF. According to Gandhi, the act of Congress workers to forcefully shut down the restaurant was anti-democratic. He said that the federation was in the process to issue a guideline on naming a few delicacies after UPA scams like 2G, Coatgate and CWG scams. Though Aditi Restaurant was re-opened on Tuesday, but names like “2G ka samosa” and “Coalgate sandwich” have opened up a unique way for other restaurateurs to oppose newly introduced service tax on restaurant. “As per the UPA Govternment eating money (2G, Coal, CWG scam) is a necessity and eating food in AC restaurants is a luxury” — This was the message printed on the bills. Gandhi is in the process to discuss the proposal with other federation members. He believes that naming food and drinks after scams is an apt reply.
Sanat Relia, vice president of Southern Gujarat Hotel Association (SGHA) said that he would like to appreciate the courage of Aditi Restaurant’s owner who despite being a small man dared to oppose wrongly introduced service tax. “Our association has more than 350 members. Naming dishes on UPA scams is still a proposal. It would take around 8-10 days to come to a conclusion. Even if we endorsed the idea, SGHA members would take decision voluntarily and the association would not force them,” Relia said. Meanwhile, Narendra Somani president of All Gujarat Hotel and Restaurant Association said that his association definitely opposes the introduction of service tax but it would refrain from scam controversy.