Top restaurant associations seek liquidity support amid Covid-19 crisis

Since March of 2020, the Rs 4.25-trillion domestic restaurant industry has had to contend with lockdowns, curbs, and restrictions on business hours

Some of India’s top restaurant associations have asked for an interest subvention scheme, working capital support, collateral-free loans and waiver of payment of statutory fees, as the sector battles its worst crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), and The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) have all argued that eateries have been among the worst affected since the pandemic began in 2020.

“Almost 30-35 per cent of restaurants shut permanently after the first lockdown last year. Another 30 per cent will now shut shop