Tue Jul 15 03:44:01 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, focusing on the core event and the Indian perspective as presented in the original:

**Maharashtra’s Hospitality Sector Stages “No Alcohol” Strike Over Excise Duty Hike**

**Mumbai, July 15, 2025:** Maharashtra’s bar and restaurant industry ground to a halt yesterday as members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) staged a state-wide “No Alcohol” strike in protest against the Devendra Fadnavis government’s recent decision to significantly increase excise duties on liquor.

The HRAWI is vehemently opposing the 60% hike in excise duty, a 15% increase in annual FL3 license fees for the Financial Year ’26, and the imposition of a 10% VAT on Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sold at FL3 outlets.

According to Pradeep Shetty, a member of HRAWI, the strike aimed to draw the government’s attention to the detrimental impact of the tax increases on businesses. The industry is also concerned about the broader implications for tourism, particularly in light of Maharashtra’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Shetty believes the state needs to be competitive in providing services to tourists, both domestic and international.

The government is reportedly planning to use the additional revenue generated from the duty hike to fund various welfare schemes, including the Ladki Bahin initiative.

However, the HRAWI argues that the price increase of alcoholic beverages will affect the industry. President Jimmy Shaw stated in a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar that these hikes, combined with existing increased license fees and operational costs, will make Maharashtra the most expensive destination for alcoholic beverages in the country, damaging the tourism and hospitality sectors. The HRAWI is calling on the government to reconsider the excise duty increase to avoid further straining an already struggling industry.

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