Allow us to re-open: MRCA to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22 2021:
Manipur Restaurant and Cafe Association (MRCA) has appealed to the Government to allow reopening of cafes and restaurants by following all the COVID-19 guidelines given by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Danish Khoirom, member of MRCA said this at a press conference held at Munchies Cafe in Keishampat Leimajam leikai and added that cafes and restaurants are the worst hit group of Food Business Operators (FBOs) during the pandemic that started back in March 2020 .
Some sections of FBOs are given relaxation from time to time in Government's directives to operate during the pandemic but restaurants and cafes have always been left out in such directives, he added.
Paying salaries of staff, rents for apartments, EMI for loans and power tax have to be done regularly by the owners of cafes and restaurants, which is adding another burden on them during the pandemic, he added.
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In view of this, he sought the attention of the Government to let them reopen in strict observance of all the regulations.
Another member of MRCA, L Rajeev Sharma said the FBOs are willing to decrease the number of tables and staff at cafes and restaurants if permission to reopen is given by the Government.
Though takeaways are allowed, it has very little to no profit as prices of items have soared higher than usual and after deducting charges for service providers, he added.
L Rajeev Sharma also raised the question if all the cafes and restaurants will be closed forever if COVID-19 pandemic continues to stay.
He appealed to the Government to bring an amicable solution.
MRCA has currently about 80 members spread over various districts of the State, said Duran Thiyam, another member of MRCA.