Still reeling from damages incurred during the 26/11 attacks, Oberoi and Taj hotels appeal for exemption from renewal of liquor permits
Still reeling from damages incurred during the 26/11 attacks, Oberoi and Taj hotels appeal for exemption from renewal of liquor permits
Even six months after the brutal 26/11 terror attacks, The Oberoi Hotel at Nariman Point and The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower at Colaba are paying for the violence. Faced with extensive damages and huge losses, the terror-hit hotels have now appealed for a concession from the state excise department.
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Work in progress: Repairs are still on in the older section of the Taj. Pic/Atul Kamble |
Both five-star hotels have asked for exemption from renewal of the FL-III licenses (permit room license) for 2009-2010, citing the losses incurred due to the attack.
A senior excise official confirmed, "We have received an application from both hotels asking for an exemption for the next year, as they have faced huge losses in the past six months. The hotels' occupancy levels have been very low after the attack."
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He added, "The department has the power to give them an exemption, but no decision has been taken as yet. If the decision goes in their favour, they will be able to save lakhs of rupees."
Each permit room in a hotel has to pay a licence fee of Rs 3.3 lakh annually. The hotels also have to pay
Rs 6,44,220 for the FL-III license for serving liquor in rooms.
While the Taj has listed eight permit rooms, 300 rooms and two non-operational bars for exemption, Oberoi has asked for exemption for the five permit rooms (see box). The Taj has also asked for exemption from renewing some other licenses that expired this April.
Repair status
Meanwhile, the hotels are still fighting the damage wreaked during the siege. At the Taj, only the tower section has re-opened. The older section is still under repair. The Trident's Oberoi wing is yet to reopen. Both hotels refused to comment on the magnitude of the losses.
Give us concession for... Taj Mahal Palace and tower: Souk Bar, Zodiac Grill, Starboard Bar, Shamiana, Masala Kraft, Chambers, Sea lounge, Wasabi by Morimoto, Harbour Bar (closed for restoration), Golden Dragon (closed for restoration) and 300 other rooms
Oberoi Hotel: Vetro, Belvedre Club, Bay View Bar, Kandhar, Tiffin
'As mentioned in the letter to the state excise department
