Telangana High Court Stays New Special Privilege Fee for Bars and Restaurants

The Telangana High Court has granted interim relief to bar and restaurant owners across the state by staying the collection of the newly introduced ‘Special Privilege Fee’ for four weeks. The fee was introduced by the state government through a Government Order (GO) issued on October 19.

A total of 114 bar and restaurant owners approached the High Court, challenging the government’s decision. The petitioners argued that the Excise Act does not contain any provision authorising the collection of such a fee. After hearing the matter, the court imposed an interim stay on the fee collection for four weeks and adjourned the next hearing to November 27.