All Assam Restaurant Association owners demand special package

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Restaurant Association (AARA), a single voice organization representing the Food Service Industry of the State wrote a letter to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal seeking assistance to tackle the crisis due to the corona pandemic.

AARA stated that the food service industry is facing tough times since December 2019. "Our business has been hit the most and we are fighting to survive and to prevent job losses of our staffs while saving the hopes and aspirations of many entrepreneurs. We all have been drastically hit by this pandemic and at this moment we require your urgent help and support." stated AARA in the letter.

The body urged the Government to issue a circular to a greater business community for rent relaxation of all the tenants concerned not only for this lockdown period but also for the next 6 months.

According to the letter, Low Interest collateral free special bail out working capital loan schemes should be brought so that they can keep themselves afloat as well as take care of their employees.

"The due dates for payment of statutory dues like GST, income Tax, etc should be extended so that they can maintain the required cash flow to come out of this situation," the letter stated.

The body requested the government to provide them with exemption/subsidies from payment of all utility bills for next 6 months, such as electricity, water, gas etc. which are supplied by State, PSU or private parties.

It also urged the government to extend the validity of all licenses/registrations for a period of 12 months starting April 1, 2020. AARA proposed that with the newly emerged home delivery trend, the body should have food aggregator service in partnership with AMTRON which would make sure that the money of Assam stays in Assam while saving the restaurant industry from the ever increasing commissions from the already established aggregators.

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