The Supreme Court's order to close down bars and liquor shops near highways is going to affect 15,999 hotels, restaurants, bars and liquor shops in Maharashtra. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, minister for state excise said, “The total revenue loss is estimated to be Rs 7000 crore a year. 15,999 establishments selling or serving liquor will have to be closed down.” This include 2,290 restaurants and shops in Mumbai alone.
Hotel and Restaurants Association of Western India has expressed concern that over one million people will lose their job in the country. Dilip Datwani, president of the HRAWI, said, “Our members started these establishments after fulfilling all the norms set by the government. Each one of us has borrowed heavily from the banks and closing down the business will force us to bankruptcy.”
The state government, however, is expected to find some solution. Bawankule said, “We are thinking of transferring their licenses for free of any charge if they shift their establishments beyond 500 meters from the highways.”
Thane district has 1,100 such bars and shops within the newly prohibited limits from the state and the national highways. Mumbai-Nasik national highway and the state highways like Ghodbandar road, LBS marg, Thane-Belapur pass through Thane district. Bhaskar Shetty, treasurer of the Thane Hotels Association said, “Many people book these hotels in advance on various occasions and we expect many of the advance bookings to get cancelled.”
Kamlesh Barot of HRAWI said, “Drunken driving is a global problem and other countries have found far better ways and means to address this issue instead of closing down the businesses. Travelers can always find ways to drink.” Loss of revenue is the big problem for the state government while creation of unemployment and more non-performing assets will be other major issues to be addressed.
