Mumbai: Thanks to an AHAR (Indian Hotel and restaurant association) brainwave, you will soon have to pay even for the chakna served with your drink at bars and restaurants. Citing the rising cost of food items as the cause, AHAR wants to implement the ban on free snacks with liquor from August 15.

Said Chandrahas Shetty, president of AHAR, "The inflation has adversely affected the hotel industry, hence the ban. It will help us minimise our spendings."

The ban, however, has met with opposition from a small hoteliers association, which has refused to implement the ban, saying customers will stop visiting bars if snacks are not served free.

DISHA (Democratic Indian Small Hoteliers Association) - established in May, this year - has pitted itself against the 28-year-old AHAR (Indian Hotel and restaurant association) over the issue.

Shailesh Shetty, president of DISHA, said, "Small bars earn more from liquor than food. If we don't serve chakna, we may lose customers. We will follow the ban."

AHAR had first announced to implement the ban from August 2, but it later extended it to August 15. Over
7,000 hotels and restaurants that serve liquor in Maharashtra will have to follow the ban.

Voices

Mixed reactions

I was surprised when I was told to pay for the chakna at a restaurant in Powai recently. The ban is not welcome, as even small hotels can afford to serve basic snacks like peanuts  for free.

Aniket Thakur
Media professional

When we can pay a huge amount for drinks, paying  Rs 50 for snacks is not a problem.

Sajam Abraham
Public relations officer