Maharashtra bars, permit rooms observe bandh against tax hike

Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) More than 19,000 bars and permit rooms across Maharashtra remained closed on Monday to protest against the state government’s “draconian" taxation, said the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR).

“As many as 19,200 bars and permit rooms in Maharashtra remained shut today to protest the state government’s tax hikes, including rise in VAT (value added tax) on liquor from five to 10 per cent, a 15 per cent increase in annual licence fees and a 60 per cent spike in excise duty, all in a year,” Vijay Shetty of AHAR told PTI.

The bandh is a protest against the “triple tax tsunami” that has struck the industry in less than a year, AHAR said in a statement.

“The entire hospitality sector in Maharashtra is bleeding. Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Maharashtra bars were shut against the state government's draconian taxation,” it said. PTI VT