This comes days after the Delhi government announced the abolition of police licenses and business health licenses, issued by BJP-governed municipal corporations, for restaurants. It established a period of 10 days for the abolition of commercial sanitary licenses.
The corporations have claimed that the decision is a “ploy” to weaken civic bodies and said they will seek a legal opinion to “counter” the measure.
“Restaurants contribute greatly to Delhi’s economy and taxes. They face harassment due to raj’s license. All governments must work together to eliminate harassment. The central (central) government body FSSAI has directed DCMs to stop issuing food licenses. I hope DCMs will comply soon with the Center’s instructions, “Kejriwal said in a tweet Sunday.
Restaurants contribute greatly to Delhi’s economy and taxes. They face harassment because of raj’s license. All governments sh… https://t.co/Q3DIRzuavn
– Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) 1602392145000
The Delhi government’s decision to abolish restaurant licenses was made at a meeting chaired by Kejriwal. Restaurant owners attended.
At the meeting, the restorers had said the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) already issues food safety and hygiene licenses. The issuance of health trade licenses by local agencies doubled the task and was irrelevant.
North Delhi Mayor Jai Prakash had said that he had sought a legal opinion to counter the government’s move.
The mayor of South Delhi, Anamika, alleged that the AAP government is making policy on the issuance of commercial health licenses.
“They are misleading people by saying that there should be no license to run restaurants. Licenses are issued by corporations under the DMC Act of 1957 to ensure people’s safety and comfort by ensuring compliance with various parameters,” he said.
The health trade license is issued online to facilitate business and there is no interference from any official. The whole process is transparent, he added.
Anamika said that these licenses cover various parameters such as the structural safety of a restaurant building, drinking water to prevent water-borne diseases, health checks of waiters and delivery men, solid waste management and sanitation.
The restaurateurs have welcomed the government’s decision.
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