SUBURBAN HOTELIERS CONFUSED BY NEW LAWS
West Side Plus (Times of India -Mar 2004)
By Skimmy Gupta
Suburban Hoteliers highly upset by new laws implemented by Government have planned to protest strongly against these laws, which have affected their businesses to a great extent. Association of Hotels & Restaurants (AHAR) comprising of over 6000 hotels, pubs and restaurants in Mumbai feel the State Government is still implementing outdated laws and introducing new complicated rules without issuing proper guidelines to them.
Most hotels are still bearing the brunt due to new law of youngsters under 21 years not allowed in permit rooms, pubs. Lately, residential hotels are flummoxed by yet another rule of allotting rooms to couples with a marriage certificate. AHAR members allege that the new implemented law of inspecting marriage certificate from a couple at the time of lodging is confusing and can induce unnecessary trouble for hoteliers and customers.
Dippender Singh Sachdev, Partner- ‘Sheetal Bukhara’ restaurant at Bandra and President of AHAR says “Indifferent attitude toward genuine problems of hotel owners and harassment metted by Government may force all city hotels to shut down one day.” City permit rooms and pubs are trifle worried as latest excise circular to hoteliers inform that if anybody is found below 21 years in their premises the owner will be arrested. Dippender wonders “A 18 year old youth of Mumbai can vote and watch adult movies in theatre. But he cannot go to pub and enjoy a drink. It’s a real bemusing law.”
Romi Chadha, owner of Hotel Evergreen, Khar and AHAR member says, “Information given by customer could be false and yet the hotel owner is held responsible and arrested for immoral activities under PITA (Prevention of Immoral Trafficking) Act. Many couples indulge in kissing, fondling and other indecent behavior in autos, cabs or trains. Can police hold the driver of the vehicle as party accessory to the crime? Why impose such rules on hoteliers alone?”
MAIN ISSUES CONCERNING AHAR
Youngsters less than 21 years not allowed in permit rooms.
Residential hotels to demand marriage certificate from a couple.
No names of restaurants and bars after names of gods/goddesses.
Heavy taxes imposed by government on law-abiding hotels while food hawkers use open space freely
Another restaurateur at Bandra on condition of anonymity says, “The Government should give us a list of names of Gods and Goddesses of various castes which they do not want on our permit room board. This will not hurt anybody’s caste, creed or religion. What if the name of someone’s establishment is same as his or her family member and also clashes with name of God? ”
”We already spend lot of money and time to obtain over 40 types of licenses needed for restaurant. We have requested Government to issue a single licence as more licenses inadvertently gives rise to corrupt practices. The authorities must implement simplified laws with detailed guidelines to avoid confusion.” adds Dippender Sachdev.
Excise minister Anil Deshmukh said, “We have given specific and clear cut instructions to hoteliers. So there is no scope for confusion and they are creating unnecessary fuss. All rules applicable from 1 April and in case of violation, an enquiry will be set up. The rules were always there. But they are being strictly implemented now.”
=====================================
By Skimmy Gupta
Suburban Hoteliers highly upset by new laws implemented by Government have planned to protest strongly against these laws, which have affected their businesses to a great extent. Association of Hotels & Restaurants (AHAR) comprising of over 6000 hotels, pubs and restaurants in Mumbai feel the State Government is still implementing outdated laws and introducing new complicated rules without issuing proper guidelines to them.
Most hotels are still bearing the brunt due to new law of youngsters under 21 years not allowed in permit rooms, pubs. Lately, residential hotels are flummoxed by yet another rule of allotting rooms to couples with a marriage certificate. AHAR members allege that the new implemented law of inspecting marriage certificate from a couple at the time of lodging is confusing and can induce unnecessary trouble for hoteliers and customers.
Dippender Singh Sachdev, Partner- ‘Sheetal Bukhara’ restaurant at Bandra and President of AHAR says “Indifferent attitude toward genuine problems of hotel owners and harassment metted by Government may force all city hotels to shut down one day.” City permit rooms and pubs are trifle worried as latest excise circular to hoteliers inform that if anybody is found below 21 years in their premises the owner will be arrested. Dippender wonders “A 18 year old youth of Mumbai can vote and watch adult movies in theatre. But he cannot go to pub and enjoy a drink. It’s a real bemusing law.”
Romi Chadha, owner of Hotel Evergreen, Khar and AHAR member says, “Information given by customer could be false and yet the hotel owner is held responsible and arrested for immoral activities under PITA (Prevention of Immoral Trafficking) Act. Many couples indulge in kissing, fondling and other indecent behavior in autos, cabs or trains. Can police hold the driver of the vehicle as party accessory to the crime? Why impose such rules on hoteliers alone?”
MAIN ISSUES CONCERNING AHAR
Youngsters less than 21 years not allowed in permit rooms.
Residential hotels to demand marriage certificate from a couple.
No names of restaurants and bars after names of gods/goddesses.
Heavy taxes imposed by government on law-abiding hotels while food hawkers use open space freely
Another restaurateur at Bandra on condition of anonymity says, “The Government should give us a list of names of Gods and Goddesses of various castes which they do not want on our permit room board. This will not hurt anybody’s caste, creed or religion. What if the name of someone’s establishment is same as his or her family member and also clashes with name of God? ”
”We already spend lot of money and time to obtain over 40 types of licenses needed for restaurant. We have requested Government to issue a single licence as more licenses inadvertently gives rise to corrupt practices. The authorities must implement simplified laws with detailed guidelines to avoid confusion.” adds Dippender Sachdev.
Excise minister Anil Deshmukh said, “We have given specific and clear cut instructions to hoteliers. So there is no scope for confusion and they are creating unnecessary fuss. All rules applicable from 1 April and in case of violation, an enquiry will be set up. The rules were always there. But they are being strictly implemented now.”
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Labels: City
posted by Skimmy @ June 20, 2008
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