The HRAWI officials held meeting with CM on issue of re-opening of industry

Tourism Minister, Chief Secretary & Tourism Secretary were also present virtual The long overdue meeting of The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India with Chief Minister of Maharashtra (CM) Uddhav Thackeray and Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray. It was a virtual meeting held on Monday. Along with CM and Tourism minister Chief Secretary and Tourism Secretary and senior officials were also present. The association communicated minute details of industry to the CM, tourism minister, Chief Secretary and Tourism Secretary. The Association conveyed the industry's dire need of government support for its revival. The issues discussed like opening of Bars, Property Tax, Excise Fees, Electricity Bill issues, Industrial Tariff and blanket permission to use open spaces during the pandemic. They also highlighted relaxation in restrictions to operate so as to minimize losses & ESIC support to pay salaries to employees. The meeting was held at a very positive note and CM and government were very positive about the real issues faced by the hotels and restaurants. HRAWI was vocal in communicating that hotels and restaurants are the true Corona Warriors. The industry offered its rooms to quarantine health workers and meals for the needy. The HRAWI has assured the CM, tourism minister, Chief Secretary, Tourism Secretary that the industry is completely geared up for re-opening and has exhibited its readiness to conduct business in a safe environment. The association has informed the government regarding the launch of COVID-19 FoSTaC free training programme by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) / HRAWI and also about the desktop audit programme which deals with all required compliances for its members. Chief Minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray, while acknowledging the vital role of hoteliers and restaurateurs during the pandemic thanked them for standing with him and the state government through this phase. The CM has assured the Association that the government is working on re-opening protocols. He urged the Industry to take all due care and expected due compliance from all categories of hotels, lodges to 5 stars and restaurants. The CM said that “They would re-open in a phased manner to avoid any backlash and smooth functioning of the industry”. The CM further informed that the government is also working on certain concessions such as in Excise fees to help revive the Industry. The Tourism Minister, Aditya Thackeray too addressed the participants from HRAWI. He assured that tourism is vital to the State and the government. We will do everything to ensure that tourism gets back on track at the earliest. He appreciated the association's suggestions in this regard.