MCD gets systematic to increase revenue

After the harrowing time Delhiites had during sealing and demolition of illegal properties last year, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to take a more systematic approach to classify unlicensed commercial establishments.

After the harrowing time Delhiites had during sealing and demolition of illegal properties last year, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to take a more systematic approach to classify unlicensed commercial establishments.

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The civic agency is going to carry out a door-to-door survey of shops across Delhi that are covered under trade and storage licence.

MCD officials will also carry out bio-cryptic enrolment and provide unique identification to each licensable entity for record purposes. The aim of the survey is to increase the revenue earned by MCD as licence fees from these shops and to identify illegal shops running in the city. This survey will also include shops in unauthorised areas so that the civic agency can finally come up with a definitive list of properties being run illegally in Delhi.

A private firm will carry out this survey as a pilot project in Chandni Chowk and Kashmere Gate. Each trader of these areas will have to pay Rs 350 to the company carrying out the survey, which would ensure no financial liability on the MCD.

“This survey is being carried out to assess the actual position on ground,” said MCD commissioner K.S. Mehra. A proposal in this regard will be tabled in the standing committee of the MCD soon.

The data collected would also enable MCD staff during field inspection to verify whether the shop has changed hands, profession or if the owner has carried out any sort of illegal construction.

“The survey would ensure licensing of maximum persons especially those who have not obtained the trade and storage licence. They would be provided with an application form that would have to be submitted to the licensing authority in their zones,” said a senior MCD official. “With this, our collection of revenue from licensed shops will increase. For those who already have a trade licence, the purpose of the survey is to have a field verification as well as get the bank details of the licensed person so that MCD fees and taxes can be debited directly.”

“We are carrying out the survey in non-conforming areas also to have data on the number of unauthorised commercial properties in the city for future reference as there is no such data available presently,” added the official.

The civic agency also plans to make further amendments in the process of granting the licence after the survey.