<span style="color: #222222;">In Maharashtra, the State Government is soon expected to come up with a decision to open hotels and restaurants which have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic since last six months.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India has also petitioned Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to waive off license fees.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports, a delegation of hotel and restaurant bodies on Monday met Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after which the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, HRAWI, President Sherry Bhatia said, the CM has assured them that restaurants will be allowed to re-open in the first week of October.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">However, the CM has reiterated on the restaurants' responsibility towards their customers' health and safety.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Bhatia said, the Chief Minister has also agreed to consider the industry association's petition for the waiver of excise licence fees for a period of six months, the duration for which establishments were required to be kept shut.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, AHAR said, the announcement will bring in a huge relief to the industry that is reeling under a financial mess because of the lockdown.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AHAR President Shivanand Shetty said, the industry is the second-largest employment provider with 60 lakh direct employment and two crore indirect employment.</span><br />