Come April 1, restaurant owners seeking to set up a shop in Lutyen’s Delhi markets such as Connaught Place and Khan Market will have to apply online for grant of health trade license from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Besides, the civic body has also tweaked the guidelines for issuing of licenses. The step has been taken to streamline the system after complaints of corruption and a number of outlets were found being run without health licenses.

According to the officials, the process of granting of license is now to be completed within 15 days.

“In order to comply with the directions of the Central government under ease of doing business as well as to minimise the scope of corruption on account of delay in processing an application, it was proposed to switch the system completely online and within 15 days,” said a senior officer.

The move was proposed by NDMC chairman, Naresh Kumar in order to weed out corruption in issuing of license as well as to control violations of public health guidelines.

Also, the new guidelines propose that the renewal of licenses, which is done after one year of license being issued, will be done automatically.

“The owners will have to submit NoCs from different departments, including fire, structural stability, enforcement and tax. This is crucial to avoid unauthorised construction and misuse of properties,” the officer said.

In a survey of eateries conducted by the civic body last week, it was found that over 400 restaurants and eating outlets were running without a health license contributing to unhygienic surroundings.

These outlets have been issued notices to either seek a license or shut down.

The civic body had issued notices to around 13 restaurants, cafes and pubs in Khan Market and Connaught Place for violations of public health license, including public nuisance, hygiene and fire safety last month.

UPSCALE COMPLEXES

The NDMC is a civic body catering to Lutyen’s Delhi housing the country’s most powerful. Both Khan Market and CP are upscale commercial complexes having turned into hubs of food and nightlife.