In the period when the entire country is grappling with the global pandemic, the Restaurant and Bar Industry in the State is facing severe difficulties during the ongoing Health Protection Week imposed by the State Government since one month to prevent the virus from spreading. In view of the lockdown, Jharkhand Bar and Restaurant Association has demanded from the State Government to provide some relief such as waiver of licence fee and special package for revival of the trade.
Jharkhand Bar and Restaurant Association president Ranjan Kumar said the lockdown imposed by the Government last year and this year has badly affected Bar and Restaurant trade in the State and Rs 30 crore to 35 crore of business affected during the lockdown. He said that last year it was closed for about 6 months and this time it has been closed for almost 1 month due to which around 5000 restaurants and bars are completely closed in the State.
“More than 150000 people are employed in the State in this trade who are still unemployed. Last year, the operators paid bar license fees without doing business and again in March this year they had to pay. During this one year, a total of Rs 1800000 were deposited by the operators for running the business only for 3 to 4 months. Now the situation is such that the operators are unable to run their house, then how do they give salary to their employees,” said Kumar.
The Association head Kumar said that the Association wants to draw the Chief Minister’s attention to address their problems and give some relief to the traders in this time of fear and agony. The Government should waive the license renewal fee for this financial year, and ensure the return to the account, GST exemption should be given, Concession in electricity bill should be given for next 6 months, Change the stocks of beer that have expired or are due to lock down, Municipal holding tax should be waived and dry ration should be provided to the staff of the bar and restaurant.
The Association also urges the Chief Minister to assess the damage done in this industry and announce a special package for its revival.
Kumar further said that as a result of this epidemic, the Bar and Restaurant industry of the State is going through a very bad crisis. “We are all unaware of how many months it will take time to stand up again. When the work starts again, the operators will have to spend a lot. The prices of food items, beverages have also increased, so for the next six months we cannot even think about profits, but there are fixed expenses. Employees have to pay salary, electricity bills, taxes and many other expences”, he added.