Health trade licences double in June this yr

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has reported a nearly two-fold increase in the health trade licences issued, almost a month into relaxed norms under Delhi’s new instant license regime for eating establishments

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has reported a nearly two-fold increase in the health trade licences issued, almost a month into relaxed norms under Delhi’s new instant license regime for eating establishments.

Under the revised system, licenses for 67 categories of food-related businesses have been de-regulated and can now be issued instantly.

A senior civic official said over 685 licences were issued in June -- first month of the new regime -- which is a significant increase from 351 licences issued during the corresponding period last year. “Currently, the focus is on bringing more units under the regime. We are undertaking inspections at this stage. A risk-based criterion has been put in place, under which random inspections will be carried out at high-risk premises in future,” the official said, requesting anonymity.

Under the revised system, licences for 67 categories of food-related businesses have been de-regulated and can now be issued instantly. The certificate issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will now be treated as a “deemed licence” for several categories — including restaurants, banquet halls, food carts, and cloud kitchens -- upon payment of the licensing fee to the corporation. The policy states that the onus of ensuring public safety and property in running the health trade will rest solely with the licencee.

The 67 de-regulated trades fall under sub-categories: eating establishments (restaurants, banquet halls, coffee houses, food courts), storage and sale (paan shops, milk products, cold storage), hawking, and manufacturing units. Currently, around 13,000 licenced health trades exist under MCD.

“We have fewer than 200 inspectors on the ground to check licences, so field checks cannot be carried out in all cases. We will have to prioritise higher-risk units,” a second official said.

Notably, concerns were being raised regarding inadequate checks, particularly after the Hauz Rani fire that claimed 23 lives, where the violator was found to be operating a restaurant under a snacks-and-tea licence. On checks and safety concerns, civic officials said a “risk-based assessment will be carried out, with priority on larger establishments where risks are greater. If any deficiency is found, the applicant will be given 21 days to respond. If they fail to rectify the issues, the licence will be withdrawn.”

Applicants will have to agree to a 31-point checklist before applying for the licence. “The licencee will completely indemnify MCD for any incident of fire. Fire safety standards are to be taken care of by the licencee. The licencee will be squarely responsible for fire safety of the premises,” the official said. The licence does not confer any legal or ownership right and cannot be used for any other purpose.