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As the voice of the Indian restaurant industry, we represent the interests of 500000+ restaurants & an industry valued @ USD 4 billion. Whether a chain or independent restaurant, the NRAI is here to help every step of the way. Join us!

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National restaurant association writes to Niti Aayog for urgent relief

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National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) that has almost 5 lakh restaurants as members across the country has written to CEO Niti Aayog seeking relief for the industry in the wake of lockdown to combat coronavirus spread.

Highlighting the concerns, NRAI has sought urgent relief from the government stating that without help it foresees ‘complete decimation’ of an industry that employs over 7 million people and is a major contributor to GDP.

Explaining the concerns expressed in the letter, president NRAI and restaurateur, Anurag Katriar aid despite honest intent, businesses do not have the resources even to pay salaries to employees. “Our priority is to ensure employees do not face financial issues as we fear that it may end up giving birth to larger social problems,” Katriar stated in the letter.

Elaborating how the industry has always been at the forefront of providing relief to people affected due to lockdown by providing free meals, raising money for relief funds and donating funds to government, this has been an unprecedented situation where an industry specific bailout is the need of the hour.

NRAI has urged immediate help from the government and stressed three important issues affecting the restaurant industry namely people issues, operating support and policy support. Under people issues, it has requested an unemployment pay cover to all its employees under the ESIC Act in full till the lockdown and 50 per cent post that till March 2021. It has also requested an increase in PF withdrawal limits and an extended moratorium on loans taken by the employees to help them with cash flow.

For solving operating issues, NRAI has requested the governments to waive all licenses fees and minimum rent for utilities for the entire period of lockdown. The restaurant body has also requested for easy availability of working capital loans at preferred rates without asset collateral and an early settlement of all insurance claims.

Among the policy initiatives, NRAI stresses on its long-standing demand for restoration of Income Tax Credit on GST and a robust e-commerce policy where prices are not determined by the online platform. Katriar stressed that it may take nine months to a year post lockdown for the industry to stabilise.

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