In a recently concluded meeting, the Delhi government has announced major ammendments for the city restaurants impacted by COVID-19 induced restrictions.Â
As per the announcement, CM Arvind Kejriwal has allowed restaurants in the city to function 24×7 and has also abolished the need for tourism licenses. The much-awaited move has brought cheer and major relief to city restaurants amid a pandemic.
The significant decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal which was attended by restaurant owners.
Apart from key decisions, there were other measures announced such as initiating a process to abolish police licences and health trade licenses from local bodies for restaurants to end ”permit raj” in the industry.
The Delhi government said such steps will help the industry generate more employment through higher demand and will set an example of the ”Delhi Model” of ease of doing business.
CM Kejriwal also directed that health trade licences issued by municipal corporations to restaurants should be abolished within 10 days. Besides, the excise department agreed to review the existing policy of a 10 per cent automatic increase in the licence fees every year.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who directed that steps should be taken for restaurants to pay excise by March 31 from the existing deadline of February 28, and for them to make quarterly licence fee payments without interest.
