Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) has expressed extreme disappointment at the decision of Haryana Government to increase the annual excise fee in the State. The State Government has doubled the amount of money needed by establishments to annually renew their license. The excise policy of Haryana for the financial year 2015-16 has been announced with increased license fees for Hotels & Restaurants.
The fee for a bar license was Rs6 lakh per annum across the State which has been increased to Rs12.5 lakh for Gurgaon, Rs10 lakh for Faridabad and Rs7.5 lakh for other districts. This hike is impractical and arbitrary. The hospitality sector will bear the brunt of the reduction in sales and the decision would result in small hotels & restaurants become much more expensive said luv Malhotra, President, HRANI.
We urge the State Government to order a rollback, added Malhotra. This hike will also act as a major disincentive for the public and visitors to spend money in the wider hospitality sector that remains a crucial part of the economy while simultaneously encouraging consumers to travel to neighbouring NCR to purchase alcohol. The move is “disproportionate, excessive and absolutely contrary to the stated aim of Government to support small businesses”, he said.