HRANI UPDATES
HRANI meets Excise Commissioner Delhi
In the wake of the excise policy under review by the Delhi Government and hold on fee deposit and license renewals for the year 2021-22, HRANI met excise Commissioner
Sh. Garish Oberoi, Treasurer HRANI along with Mrs. Renu Thapliyal, Secretary General HRANI met Sh. Sanjay Goel, Commissioner, Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax, Govt of NCT of Delhi. The association has requested for a clarification in regard to renewal of license for the year 2021-22.

Since, the excise policy is already under review, the delegation reiterated on the submissions represented earlier to the excise department such as discontinuation of 10% automatic increase in excise fee, age limit to be brought down to 21 yrs (at par with neighbouring states), Increase in service timings from 1.00 AM, Open areas be allowed for service, permission for additional dispensing counters including reduction in dry days.

A request to address the Delhi members through a webinar (after the release of new Excise Policy) was also made by HRANI which has been accepted by the Hon'ble Commissioner.
HRANI and IRCTC partnership gains traction
Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), had signed a MoU last year, under which HRANI hotel members would be able to list their room rate and inventory on IRCTC booking engine portal. The objective of signing the MoU has been to promote domestic tourism and reduce the customer acquisition cost.
To facilitate the members further HRANI has pursued for waiver on integration charges and reduced Commission including online integration to ease the process which has been agreed by IRCTC and a revised EOI has been issued accordingly. A virtual meeting to discuss the details was also held with IRCTC.

As per the MOU between HRANI with IRCTC, IRCTC has allowed to offer a 5-10 percent commission from the listed Member Units of HRANI along with complete waiver of integration charges. The waiver will be applicable till July 31 of this year.

The members can directly integrate with IRCTC. An EOI for the same is available on the websites of both HRANI & IRCTC For details logon towww.hrani.net.in For details logon tohttps://www.irctc.com/index.php/download?id=10402) Enclosure of current HRANI membership certificate is mandatory to avail the benefit.

Earlier IRCTC has allowed offering a 10 percent commission from the listed Member Unit of HRANI. The HRANI Member had been entitled for a 50 percent discount on a one-time integration charge of Rs 10000/- plus tax instead of Rs 20000/- plus tax.

We are thankful to Madam Rajni Hasija, Chairman & Managing Director, IRCTC and her team for acceding to our submissions especially when the industry is going through tough times stated Sh. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, HRANI and Vice President, FHRAI.

"I firmly believe that this initiative of HRANI will help our hotel members to reduce the customer acquisition cost in a big way and will create a win-win situation for both the hoteliers as well as the end consumers" added Sh. Jaiswal.

The Secretary General, HRANI informed that to create awareness on this initiative, a series of webinars will be organised by HRANI in association with IRCTC. The benefits including the process of hotel integration will be explained by IRCTC officials during these webinars.
HRANI organises FOSTAC Training for Food handlers
Continuing the efforts of spreading awareness amongst FBOs and members, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) recently concluded its virtual FOSTAC training session for food handlers. The association has built a bridge for the hospitality professionals to enhance their food safety knowledge which has been set by the FSSAI and in turn practically implement the highest standards of food safety in their units.

While conducting the session Dr. Vikas Gupta, Professor, Amity University gave a detailed presentation on the requirements of "FOSTAC-Advance Catering" with examples and case studies for better understanding.

The training was conducted through virtual mode and as an 'training partner' we have ensured that the training modules meet the expectations in terms of being interactive including team involvement. Our initiative of conducting virtual training has been appreciated by our trainee participants & I am happy to share their valuable feedback posted to us stated Renu Thapliyal Secretary General, HRANI. She further added that In the interest of our members, the next session has been scheduled for February 26, 2021.
For details logon tohttp://www.hrani.net.in/HospitalityFlash/FEBHTML/HTML/Flyer.html
HRANI writes to South Delhi Municipal Corporation to review the policy & fee structure for use of Open Space
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has notified the Policy for use of open space / terrace abutting the licensed Eating House for service purpose. SDMC has been demanding the fee for the full financial year (April, 2020 to March 31, 2021). The levy of such exorbitant fees annually for space which is occasionally used is totally unjust and unfair especially during these unprecedented times, where lockdown & COVID-19 spread has led to a fatal blow to the industry.

The policy for use of Open Space / Terrace abutting the licensed eating House for service purpose was notified by SDMC vide Circular No PA/MHQ/SDMC/2020/87 dated 16.10.2020.

The SDMC has allowed open space/terrace open to air abutting, the licensed eating House only to be used as a service area. The fees for the service area will be charged with the license fee at the time of the grant of license with the fee structure @ Rs.200 per Sq. Feet for Hotels with rating of 4 Star and above and Rs Rs 100 per Sq. Feet for the Hotels below the above rating. Also the validity of license will be for one year which will be renewed every year with license of eating house.

Taking in view of the above HRANI has submitted a representation to the Hon'ble Commissioner, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to review the Policy and fee structure for use of Open Space / Terrace abutting the licensed eating house for service purpose. The letter mentioned that the fee prescribed for the use of open space / terrace is exorbitant for Hotels as the space is used only occasionally. The hotel units are already paying fees for multiple outlets located in their premises such as Lodging, Banquets, bars, Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Pool area, clubs including saloons. The letter covered the following issues.

  • Substantial reduction in the fees : The fee levied for Hotels and Restaurants is exorbitant which needs an urgent review as the Hotels and Restaurants have been already licensed by SDMC & have been paying the fees to Municipal Corporation for multiple units.


  • Fees to be charged on a pro rata basis (day basis) and not annually : The open space / terrace open to air abutting; the licensed eating house is being used occasionally and not 365 days of the year. The open spaces are used for laying buffets etc during events which are seasonal. Therefore, one day license (temporary) with a nominal fee should be introduced by SDMC to promote industry.
About Us
Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) is the northern wing of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) - an apex body of the hospitality sector. HRANI, founded in 1950 by Legend Rai Bahadur M.S. Oberoi, represents hotels, restaurants, tourism industry & travel trade of all nine states of Northern India i.e. Delhi, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh. It was conceived with an idea to give Hoteliers and Restaurateurs in Northern India a common forum for interaction. With an active membership base from the hospitality industry and allied sectors, HRANI is assisting its members to create a conducive environment to tap the vast potential of hospitality industry in Northern India.
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