FHW Staff – Mumbai
The Government of Maharashtra has granted the long standing demand of hoteliers and restaurateurs and abolished the sign board licenses. A recent circular issued by the government has done away with the need for retail establishments to obtain licence for advertising their own business at their operational premises. The circular has also indicated that along with the licence, retailers will no longer have to pay for the fee either. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), which has been advocating for the cancellation of the licence, has welcomed the move and has commended the government for this step.
“The move comes on the back of the ‘Model Shops and Establishments Bill’ which the Union Cabinet has recently given a nod to which essentially allows establishments to remain operational 24/7. Although, the state government is yet to finalise on introducing this bill in Maharashtra, the abolishment of the sign board licence is an encouraging indication of the government’s outlook towards ease of doing business,” said Bharat Malkani, president, HRAWI.
The new circular states that sky-signs are mainly set up for advertising, which is an integral component of every retail store. As long as the sky sign is fixed in and out of the self-owned, leased or mortgaged premise of the retail store, by the trader advertising his own business it shall not attract the requirement of permission of the commissioner or chief officer or competent authority and payment of fees.
“The HRAWI has been tirelessly following-up with the government for many years, including the previous governments, to rationalise laws and policies that are either archaic or simply irrelevant today. The abolishment of this licence is welcomed by the association and the industry,” added Malkani.