Updates on NRAI Lobbying Activities

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) / CII (Associations Council) / NITI Aayog / PMO Office / Tourism Ministry and Invest India

• Easing / Rationalising of Licensing norms, moving towards single window system and improving EODB
• Relief sought due to COVID-19

FSSAI

• Hygiene Rating / Menu Labelling
• Food Safety Supervisor Training Programme across the country
• Review of Act and Rules
• Issues related to HFSS foods
• Safe & Nutritious Food Programme

Ministry of Finance

• Restoration of Input Tax Credit (ITC) for Restaurants
• Relief sought due to COVID-19

Ministry of Consumer Affairs

• MRP
• Issues related to Service Charge
• Portion Control

• THSC / NSDC (Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship)
• For providing trained manpower

Transport Ministry

• Policy for Food Trucks

Achievements

Recent:

• Success in inclusion of Delivery Bikes under the ‘Non-Transport Category’

2017:

• Order by the Supreme Court on MRP that it would not apply to any commodities / items being served to customers in restaurants
• Success in DPCC case before the NGT
• Order by the Supreme Court on Highway Liquor Ban not applicable to restaurants and bars within city limits

2016:

• Success in agreement by FSSAI for formulating guidelines on standards for reuse of oil in restaurants
• The Cabinet approved the Model Shops and Establishments Act that allows shops, malls and other establishments to operate 24×7
• NRAI succeeded in resolving issue with delivery bikes – Ministry of Road Transport and Highways allowed fitment of boxes for delivery
• FSSAI formed a subgroup with NRAI to amend rules that govern safety standards at eating establishments

2014:

• NRAI won the hookah case in the Supreme Court setting aside judgements of Bombay, Madras and Gujarat High Courts in which restriction imposed on smoking of hookah with tobacco content was upheld and power was given to Municipal authorities to impose conditions

2013:

• Sustained efforts of the association had been successful in initiating the process for setting up an ‘Inter Ministerial Group’ under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which would look into the various problems faced by the restaurant industry

• Issues around New Fire Safety Norms
• Open Air Service with Delhi Govt. / LG / Municipal Authorities
• Unified Portal of MHA
• Reduction/Rationalisation of Licences
• Relief from multiple departments due to COVID-19
• Sealing in Defence Colony and Khan Market over issue of conversion charges
• Issues related to Hauz Khas Village and Hookah service
• Use of Charcoal in Restaurants as permitted fuel
• Restaurant issues in CP
• Extension of timings based on model shops & establishment act
• Minimum Wages notification by Delhi Govt.

Issues with SDMC:

• Solid waste management
• Use as public toilets

Excise Policy in Delhi

• Excise Fee (Structure, Payment Dates, Interest on installments)
• License processing / documentation
• Service in Additional Areas & Additional bars
• Extension of Operating Timings
• Purchase of Liquor from retail vends
• Entertainment NOCs
• Drinking Age / Dry Days
• Microbreweries

Achievements

Recent:

• Delhi Government approved adjustment of the Excise Fee for the lockdown period
• South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) permitted service in open areas
• Clearance to operate Microbreweries in Delhi

2017:

• Issuance of New Excise Licences in Delhi after several representations and meetings with the Delhi Government at various levels
• Stay granted to NRAI Members in the Minimum Wages Case by the High Court in Delhi

2016:

• DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee) exempted restaurants up to 100 seat covers connected with Municipal/ Delhi Jal Board Sewer system connected to DJB STPs, from providing Effluent Treatment Plants (against the earlier 36 seat covers)
• Govt announced implementation of single window clearance system from 2017 onwards for the restaurant industry

2015:

• Delhi government agreed to implement NRAI proposal for developing 15 tourism hubs.
• Delhi government made the process of renewal of excise license for hotels, restaurants and clubs online.
• NRAI’s year-long push got the government moving, clearing the road for Micro-breweries.
• MRP Case: The Delhi High Court held that no penal action can be taken by the authorities under the old law.
• Excise Department stopped independent visits to restaurants by inspectors. Central teams will make inspections on specific inputs as required.

2013:

• Received approval for payment of Annual Excise Fee in two installments.
• Through a legal case in Delhi High Court, actively engaged in formulating guidelines for making available quality and safe food in schools in Delhi.
• Impleaded in the case before the National Green Tribunal regarding the guidelines set by Delhi Pollution Control Committee

• High powered meeting with Hon’ble CM in September 2017 discussed Terrace Area Service, 24 Hour Zones, Food Trucks, and Late Night Permissions on weekends, etc.
• Removal of police permission for eating houses, permit rooms.
• Reduction in number of licenses from 37 to 31.
• Relaxation of some stringent licensing and labour law norms.

Achievements

Recent:

• Policy on 24×7 Operations issued
• Reduction in Clearances / Approvals for Hospitality Industry
• Permission for Transfer of Excise Licence
• Deferment of Excise Fee Payment upto 30 December 2020
• Other Reliefs sought due to COVID

2017:

• New policy for serving food on open to air terrace.
• Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act, 2017 allowing shops to remain open 24×7 in the state

2016:

• Maharashtra govt. reduced no. of licenses from 37 to 31. Relaxation of some stringent conditions for eating House License. Removal of Police License for eating House and Permit Rooms.

2015:

• NRAI Mumbai Chapter is part of the special committee formed under the Chairmanship of Chief Secy. to look into various issues related to the restaurant industry.

• Excise Licence Fee
• PIL in Indiranagar
• Playing Music / Signage
• Minimum Wages
• Plastic Ban
• Short lifting excise
• BBMP Issues

Achievements

2016:

• Karnataka government to extend 1am deadline for bars & pubs from weekends to weekdays as well.

2015:

• After NRAI Bengaluru Chapter’s push, excise department issued notification for allowing Bars and restaurants to stay open till 1am on weekends again.

• Representations being made regarding various issues related to the proposed excise policy
• Ban on use of liquid nitrogen in restaurants

Achievements

Recent:

• Application for MCG Trade License and Fire NOC is online. No police license needed
• No increase in Liquor License Fee in 2020-21 policy. Haryana is the only state which has kept previous year’s fees
• Service of food and liquor allowed in open areas by paying 20% addition point fees
• Ahatas have been bought under the ambit of FSSAI. They now need all licenses to operate as much as a Restaurant
• Increase in Operation Timings; highest in the region. Allowed to serve liquor till 3AM withadditional fee. Eating places allowed to operate 24/7
• Imported Liquor monopoly ended. Free trade has ushered in market prices, and Haryana has one of the lowest liquor purchase prices for quality product

2017:

• Gurgaon Chapter actively led the legal case in Supreme Court highway ban.

2016 :

• Approval for service in open areas