BBMP makes traders clean up

BBMP makes traders clean up
The Times of India

Bangalore: Does the neighbourhood barber refuse to use a fresh razor for every client? Do your clothes trigger off an itching sensation after they come back from the dhobi? Does the waiter in the restaurant have grimy nails? Instead of cribbing about it, call the health department of the BBMP.
At least 70 service-providers will be issued trade licences only after they give an undertaking to the BBMP that they will follow stringent norms to ensure good health and hygiene.
The Suvarna Arogya Paravanige, or the modified trade licence introduced on March 15, aims to remind traders their obligation to public health.
Says U A Vasant Rao, DC (Resources), BBMP, “The trade licence norms are 30 years old. But we hope to make them stringent and their enforcement stronger. To fight traders’ resistance, we’ve simplified the licensing system — simpler forms and fewer hassles.”
While the new avtar of trade licence was welcomed by citizens, the sudden increase in licence fee by almost 100% seemed to have upset the traders.
“The sudden increase of licence fee and the issue of signing an undertaking has caused unrest among hoteliers. But after sharing our plans to educate and train traders and their employees to upgrade the standards in the interest of public health, the voices of dissent faded,” said Vasant Rao.
Over the last fortnight, 80% of the licences have been renewed at 107 special trade clinics set up in the city.
“We’ve about 70,000 licencees and we expect more this year, as we have included new trades like hardware, granite-cutting units, cement units, etc. We have introduced changes like compounded fee for multiple licences, annual renewal instead of once in five years, and issuance of power licences to all those using generators. We’ll start automatic renewal from next year,” explained Vasant Rao. Deadline for trade licence renewal
Bangalore: BBMP has introduced new, simplified licensing norms for traders. Here is a list of deadlines for traders to renew their licences.
April 10 - Renewal of licence after signing an undertaking
April 11 to 19 - Renewal of licence only after inspection April 21 to 30 - Renewal of licence after inspection with a 25% penalty along with licence fee May 1 to 15 - Renewal of licence after inspection, with 100% penalty along with licence fee After May 15, no renewals, trader to apply afresh.
(Random inspections will be a regular feature)