HRAWI requests single window for deadline extension

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has requested for a single window system for approval of deadline extensions.

While the association has welcomed the state government's decision to allow hotels and restaurants to operate till 5am on December 24, 25 and 31, it has expressed apprehension about being able to host Christmas Eve programmes as the necessary approvals are yet to be granted by the police.

"Without all the approvals in place we cannot conceive special programmes for our patrons. This not only affects the city from a business point of view in terms of revenues lost, both to exchequer and the establishments, but also restricts revellers from enjoying the spirit of the season to the fullest," said Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI and Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) in a press statement.

The HRAWI has appealed for blanket approvals on extension of timings on these days by default, as against ad hoc approvals given each year. It also has requested the government to provide such approvals through a single window rather than multiple departments like police, excise, etc.

"Each year hotels face the dilemma of whether or not to proceed with making any special arrangements as we are unsure if all the permissions will come through in time. Even if the permissions do come through, it does no good for us to receive it at the eleventh hour because then we have very little time to make the required arrangements," Malkani said in the statement.

Early this year, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had proposed certain measures to promote tourism and create ease of doing business for the hotel industry in the state. Based on the proposals submitted by HRAWI, the government in principle resolved to reduce the number of operating licenses from 75 to 25.