Maharashtra Cabinet slashes license fee on permit room, clubs & beer shops

Maharashtra Government gives timely boost to liquor and hospitality industry.

The Maharashtra Cabinet, in a bid to promote the hospitality and tourism industry, has reduced the fee charged by the Excise Department on permit rooms, clubs, beer shops ranging between 30% and 50%. In addition, the government, which for 2019-20 had introduced 15% increase in license fees, has withdrawn it for the year 2020-21.

However, the cabinet gave its consent to cut in fee as the permit rooms, clubs, and beer shops were hit hard due to lockdown and were passing through financial stress. Higher fees would have put an additional burden. The government will forgo revenue of ₹ 361 crore for 2020-21.

For permit rooms, the government has cut the license fee by 50%, for clubs 50%, for beer shops 30%, and for wine shops 30%. Licensees who have already paid the renewal fee will get the benefit at the time of the next renewal.

Recent cabinet decision will be applicable to 15,000 permit rooms, 47 clubs, 5,000 beer shops, and 60 wine shops.

These decisions were taken by the state cabinet amid an afresh setback for the hospitality industry in the form of the night curfew imposed.