HRAWI OPPOSES BAN ON LIVE ORCHESTRAS IN DAMAN HOTELS
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The office of Deputy Collector of Daman has recently issued a circular revoking permit for live orchestras in hotels, bars and restaurants. The reason for the ban has been cited as a way of preventing Daman from becoming a hub for prostitution and other illegal activities. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), terming the move as arbitrary, without basis and effectively harmful for tourism, has opposed the ban.
“The administration claims that there may be cases of prostitution and illegal activities taking place under the pretext of live orchestras. But this is baseless and merely presumptive. Concluding that all live orchestras are indulging in such practices is arbitrary and sets a bad precedent. Many hotels and restaurants that have heavily invested both capital and time for setting up infrastructures are now in a soup on account of this ban,” said Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI.
Last year the Daman administration had formulated a policy of allowing orchestras for entertainment of visitors. Quite a few hotels in the region had obtained the licenses for the same, mainly in Dabhel and Bhimpore.
“Hoteliers and restaurateurs are in a fix. They invest in businesses and projects based on stable Government policies. We stand by the administration for its stance against illegal activities under the disguise of live performances. However, we request the administration to also look at the flip side and reconsider banning all establishments from conducting business ethically,” Malkani added.