New Delhi: The issue of eateries, banquets and vatikas operating without valid licences in Delhi was raised by several councillors during a standing committee meeting again on Wednesday. Members cited instances of kitchens running in farmhouses and banquet halls without permission and no fire safety NoCs. They also alleged encroachment by these establishments.
Standing committee chairperson Satya Sharma expressed dissatisfaction over the health department’s enforcement drive, stating that it fell short of the instructions issued in the previous meeting following the Goa fire incident. She directed officials to carry out an intensive inspection and submit a detailed report on action taken against such illegally operating hotels, bars and restaurants.Officials told the committee that a citywide drive was already on. According to a preliminary report, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has issued licences to 6,029 eating establishments, including 3,511 eateries, 1,242 takeaway units, 880 dhabas, 115 canteens and refreshment rooms, 18 catering houses, 148 coffee houses, 38 kitchens, and others.The committee said that “officials must check vatikas, banquets and open event houses to clearly identify establishments with renewed licences and those operating without permission or in violation of rules. Strict and swift action must be taken against illegal establishments.” No laxity would be tolerated in matters concerning the health, safety and convenience of citizens, it said. MCD officials said that following the committee’s directions, public health teams inspected 2,360 eating establishments. “Of these, 1,994 were found to have valid licences, while 364 were operating with expired or no licences. We issued 470 prosecution orders for multiple violations and sealed four establishments in the West and Najafgarh zones. Covering all establishments will take about a month,” an official said.On vatikas and farmhouses, the officials said that these are regulated by the building department, with licences granted based on the area covered and the number of days events are conducted in line with a 2022 policy.Calling for better coordination among departments, Mahipalpur councillor Inderjeet Sehrawat said shifting responsibility would not help. “We should convene a meeting of all departments concerned and chalk out clear responsibilities, including who will issue NoCs,” he said.AAP councillor Parveen Kumar also referred to a banquet hall in Wazirpur that was allegedly sealed only for show in the past. Its operations continued unabated.
