Besides loss of revenue to the Haryana exchequer running into several hundred crores, more than 50,000 people could lose their jobs in the face of the ban on bars and pubs along national and state highways.
Speaking to The Hindu , Hotel and Restaurant Association of Haryana president Manbeer Choudhary expressed apprehension that the Haryana government could lose around 20% of its Rs. 5,200 crore excise revenue in the current financial year due to the order.
Mr. Choudhary said though the State hospitality industry hasn’t resorted to layoffs yet, over 50,000 people could lose their jobs with bars losing business. He added that Gurugram would be the worst hit in terms of loss of revenue and jobs cuts.
“More than 30,000 people could be rendered jobless in Gurugram. With one person supporting a family of four to five people, the overall impact would be much severe,” he asserted.
Most in Gurugram
Of the 478 bars in Haryana, 194 are expected to be affected by the Supreme Court order, according to Haryana government sources. Most of the affected bars are located in Gurugram (106), followed by Faridabad(14) and Ambala (8).
Mr. Choudhary said representatives of the hospitality industry are slated to meet Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday. He added that the industry has no suggestions on possible solutions and that it was up to the political leadership to take a call.
Sanjeev Kaushal, the Additional Chief Secretary (Excise & Taxation), said revenue loss in terms of licence fee and basic excise duty would be around Rs. 100 crore for the financial year.
On the dispute over measurement of distance from highways, Mr. Kaushal said aggrieved parties can approach the committee constituted at the district level. If they aren’t satisfied with the resolution, they can write to the Excise and Taxation Commissioner or give a representation to the government, he said.
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