Regular patrons at Charni Road’s Vinay Health home were in for a surprise as they entered the iconic eatery a day after GST (Goods and Services Tax) was implemented. While one would expect prices a notch higher considering the taxes levied on air-conditioned restaurants were at 18 per cent, the customers were in for a surprise. The owners of the 77-year-old eatery have slashed the prices of their dishes by Rs 5 so that the GST rates doN’T disappoint their customers. With people across the country posting pictures of their steep bills post the application of GST, this quaint diner is doing its bit to counter the issue.
Sumukh Tembey, the owner of the restaurant, has printed new menu cards with old and new prices of their dishes on either side.“Since the day GST was announced we were contemplating how to combat it. We then thought that we should reduce the costs at our end so that it doesn’t burn a hole in our customer’s pockets,” he shares.
They have over 155 dishes on their menu and have cut down the rates of the beverages as well. “While many have been looking at GST as a negative thing to happen to our nation, we do not think so. Our restaurant is partly air-conditioned, and we fall under the 18 percent taxation slab. We wanted our customers to look at GST positively. Our menu has the old rates and the new revised rates and people are pleased with it.”
While various posts on social media may say that GST has drastically increased their food bills, Sumukh differs in opinion. “We too have noticed bills getting viral on social media and people have shared about how exorbitant the rates are. If all restaurants take a small initiative like this, it’ll be of great help to the customers and the government as well. If we hadn’t reduced the rates, our customers would’ve been disappointed.”
After the initial surprises, the customers were more than happy to learn about this step. “Initially people were confused to see the revised rates on the menu and often asked us what was wrong. But later when they realised that we had reduced the prices from our end, they were happy.”
Ask him about the losses they would suffer because of the move, and he says, “We have been running the place for many years now. I don’t think we will reflect on the losses as much as we value our regular patrons.”
