Restaurants in Gujarat remain closed to protest service tax

Most of the over 20,000 restaurants in Gujarat were today shut in protest against newly-levied service tax on air-conditioned eateries.
"The one-day strike call has had overwhelming response...Almost all 20,000 small and big restaurants in Gujarat remained closed in protest of the 4.94 per cent service tax on AC restaurants," said Aswhin Gandhi of Gujarat State Hotel Federation.
"The service tax on AC restaurants was added in the last general budget by the central government but it was limited to the restaurants which serve liquor. But in this year's budget, every single AC restaurant has been covered," Gandhi said.
"This is illegal. If VAT is being levied, then a restaurant cannot be liable to pay additional service tax."

Gandhi also said if the Centre did not withdraw the tax, the hoteliers would move the High Cort in the country.
About 800 restaurants in Ahmedabad city too have joined in the bandh. Restaurants inside three-star and five-star hotels were serving only hotel guests, claimed Gujarat State Hotel Federation chief Markand Desai.