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Maharashtra

Mumbai Bars & Restaurants to Shut on July 14 as Hospitality Sector Protests Tax Hikes

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Mumbai, July 12, 2025 – In a strong show of dissent, thousands of bars, restaurants, and permit rooms across Maharashtra will remain shut on Monday, July 14, following a statewide bandh announced by the Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association (AHAR). The protest is directed against a series of recent tax hikes that industry leaders say are threatening the survival of the state’s hospitality sector.

A Triple Tax Blow

The bandh comes in response to three major financial setbacks imposed on the industry this year:

  • Excise duty on liquor has been increased by 60%
  • Value Added Tax (VAT) on liquor has been doubled from 5% to 10%
  • Annual license fees have seen a 15% hike

According to AHAR, this combination has dealt a “death blow” to many small and mid-sized hospitality businesses that were already struggling to recover from the long-lasting effects of the pandemic.

Industry Under Pressure

Maharashtra’s hospitality sector is one of the largest in India, employing over 20 lakh people and supporting nearly 50,000 vendors. With operating costs already high, the additional taxes are pushing many outlets into financial crisis.

“This is not just about taxes. It’s about survival,” said AHAR President Sudhakar Shetty. “We are being squeezed from all sides—rising costs, tax hikes, and slowing customer footfall. If the government does not roll back these policies, many businesses will be forced to shut permanently.”

Widespread Participation Expected

More than 20,000 bars and restaurants, including nearly 8,000 in the Mumbai region, are expected to participate in the bandh. The protest will also see support from other hospitality and trade bodies, making it one of the largest coordinated shutdowns the sector has witnessed in recent years.

An Appeal for Relief

Industry leaders have called upon the Maharashtra government, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, to immediately reconsider the tax hikes. AHAR has warned that if no corrective action is taken, this one-day token strike could be followed by an indefinite shutdown.

“We do not want confrontation. We want survival and fair treatment. The hospitality industry contributes significantly to the state’s economy and tourism. We deserve a chance to operate sustainably,” Shetty added.

What This Means for Consumers

On July 14, patrons can expect:

  • Most bars and permit rooms across Maharashtra to remain closed
  • Limited food and beverage services at restaurants that serve alcohol
  • Possible delays in supply chains connected to the hospitality trade

Conclusion

The July 14 bandh marks a critical moment for Maharashtra’s hospitality sector. With livelihoods and local economies at stake, industry leaders are hoping this unified protest will push the state government toward a more balanced and sustainable taxation policy. Until then, the heat is on—and not just in the kitchens.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Ahead of Diwali, citizens beam with smiles… Goods worth over 1 crore returned, police performance praised, and people in a joyous mood.

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Mumbai: Mumbai Police has brought back the happiness of the citizens before Diwali by returning their lost and stolen goods and spreading smiles on their faces. DCP Manish Kalwaniya in Zone 8 of Mumbai has today returned the lost and other belongings of the citizens before Diwali, worth more than one crore, including 2000 mobile phones. The DCP said that the people’s joy has doubled after the return of stolen and lost goods because most of them had given up hope of their belongings, but the police have brought smiles back to their faces. Mumbai Police has started a process of returning people’s belongings at various police stations. This process has been started on the initiative of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti. After the return of stolen and lost goods, the trust of the people in the police in Mumbai has been further strengthened and now the police is performing better in such cases in which people’s belongings have been stolen or have disappeared. The police have now brought smiles to the faces of many people who had forgotten their belongings or did not expect that their belongings would be available to them again.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Jains Donate ₹1.38 Crore To 141 Flood-Hit Gaushalas Across Maharashtra

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In a remarkable act of compassion, the Jain community in Mumbai distributed ₹1.38 crore to 141 gaushalas across Maharashtra that were affected by recent floods.

According to Paresh Shah, a member of the Maharashtra Goseva Aayog, the donations will help the gaushalas purchase fodder and essential supplies for their cattle. Each gaushala received ₹50,000 as part of the relief distribution.

The contribution was made during the ‘Jivdaya Mahotsav’, held on Sunday at a Jain temple in Chinchpokli. Of the total amount, the Sheth Damji Lakshmichand Charitable Trust contributed ₹63 lakh. The community also launched a ₹27-lakh animal ambulance to aid animal welfare initiatives in Mumbai.

The event was graced by Shaina N C, national spokesperson of the Shiv Sena, as the chief guest, and Girishbhai Shah from the Animal Welfare Board of India.

Notable donors included the Deepakbhai Bheda family and the Diyodar Jain Sangh, each contributing ₹11 lakh.

Organisers said the initiative reflects the Jain community’s commitment to ‘Jivdaya’ (compassion for all living beings) and aims to support animal shelters struggling after the floods.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Harassment of ordinary Muslims in the name of Bangladeshis should stop, Abu Asim makes serious allegations against the government over Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement

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abu azmi

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader Worker Assembly Abu Asim Azmi criticized the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah and said that it is the responsibility of the Home Minister and the Central Government to take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators. The population of Muslims in India has increased due to Bangladeshis. This is completely wrong. The residents of West Bengal and ordinary Muslims are being targeted under the guise of Bangladeshi and Pakistanis. He said that the government is yours in many states and at the center, so how do Bangladeshi infiltrators enter from the border? What action has the government taken against those who forge their documents so far? He said that targeting Muslims under the guise of Bangladeshi should be stopped, just as Karat Soumya is trying to fake the certificates and documents of every Muslim and is targeting Muslims. He said that the government should pay attention to how Bangladeshi infiltrators infiltrate from the Indian border. This is not the job of Congress, SP or other parties. It is the job of the government to take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistanis and to bring them to justice. But Muslims should not be harassed or disturbed. He said that action is being taken against those officers who are preparing documents for Bangladeshis.

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