The Maharashtra Government has approved the ease of doing business policy for the hospitality sector. The new policy reduces the number of licences required to 10 from the existing 70 to start a new business in the state and seeks to boost the hospitality industry by attracting investment and increasing employment opportunities.While 70 permissions were required previously for doing business, now only 10 licenses will be required, and instead of obtaining 15 no objections certificates (NOCs) from seven departments, now only nine self-certifications will be required for the hospitality sector. The new policy will also bring down the number of application forms from 70 to eight.Under the policy, the validity of all licenses, with no fixed time limit by law, will be five years from the date of issuance. The tourism department will also handle the single window system to issue licences for the hospitality sector to facilitate business.
Sherry Bhatia, President, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, says, “The new ease of doing business policy for the hospitality sector is a landmark move by the Maharashtra Government and HRAWI welcomes the move whole-heartedly. We are thankful to the Hon’ble CM Uddhav Thackeray and the state government. We especially would like to thank the young and dynamic Minister of State for Environment, Tourism & Protocol – Shri Aaditya Thackeray for leading this change in policy. HRAWI’s efforts in spearheading this initiative and diligently following it up with the authorities for over two decades have finally borne fruit. A whopping 70 licenses now have been reduced to 10 and 70 separate application forms have been cut down to eight. The new policy has also replaced the need for obtaining NOCs from various departments with self-certification by establishments.”
“Immediate implementation of the policy will not only help bring back many businesses that have quit, but also help make up for the casualties or permanent closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. All in all, the new policy is a big step towards encouraging enterprise and is a progressive step towards boosting tourism in the state,” adds Bhatia.
